Desert Rose.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Succulent

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

3 to 5 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Spring to summer

Care

Always let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for soft, mushy stems which indicate overwatering. Keep it in the sunniest spot you have for the best blooms.

Watering

Water only when the soil is bone dry throughout the pot.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Prune back long, leggy branches in early spring to encourage a bushier shape.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.

Soil

Well draining cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

10 to 35°C

Humidity

20 to 50%

Safety

People

The milky sap contains cardiac glycosides that can cause severe irritation and heart issues if ingested or touched.

Pets

This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant well out of reach of children due to its extreme toxicity and irritating sap.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes upon contact.

Airborne allergens

There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies.

Edibility

All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

• Swollen, succulent base called a caudex
• Glossy, dark green oval leaves
• Vibrant, trumpet shaped flowers
• Thick, fleshy stems and branches

Height

0.3 to 1.5m

Spread

0.2 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, red, white, 4 to 7cm

Fruit

tan, Late summer

Common problems

• Mealybugs — Small white insects that suck sap from leaves and stems.
• Root rot — Fungal decay caused by overwatering or poor drainage.

• Why is my Desert Rose stem soft and mushy?
• What are these white fuzzy spots on my Desert Rose?
• Why won't my Desert Rose bloom?

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, grafting

When to plant

spring

Pair with other drought tolerant succulents to ensure consistent watering needs.

Grows well with

• Aloe — They share similar water and light requirements.
• Jade plant — Both are succulents that thrive in well draining soil.

Similar species

• Plumeria — They share similar growth habits and flower types.

Science

Family

Apocynaceae

Genus

Adenium

Order

Gentianales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical and subtropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Conservation

It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild populations are threatened by overcollection for the nursery trade.

It survives in arid environments by storing water in its succulent trunk.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental, container plant, bonsai subject

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil is completely dry.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in bright, direct sunlight.

Where the name comes from

Adenium refers to Aden, where the plant was first described, and obesum means swollen, referring to its thick stem.

Good to know

• It is often called the desert rose.
• The plant can live for decades if kept in the right conditions.
• It is a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts.
• The flowers can bloom in various colors depending on the cultivar.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs