Desert Rose Adenium
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Desert Rose:
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Adenium is a genus of succulents that are a part of the Apocynaceae family, otherwise known as Dogbane because some members provided poisons used to kill dogs. Plants can reach 15' in their native habitat but seldom grow that tall in a garden. The members of this genus are unusual in that they have a caudex (soft swollen stem) as a trunk. The caudex acts as a water storage organ and helps the succulents to survive long periods of drought. Some of these caudices can be 20 to 30 inches wide. As these caudices can develop fantastic shapes, the plants are popular as specimen and bonsai plants.
The members of the genus are very attractive plants with their strange, twisted caudices, branches with crowns of shiny, green leaves at their ends, and 2” wide, tubular flowers in white, pink, red and variegated forms. The flowers are reminiscent of those on the Mandevilla vine.
As they are native to the dry areas in sub-Saharan Africa and Saudi Arabia, these are ideal plants for drought tolerant gardens as well as very sunny, hot spots. Remember to provide sandy or gravelly soil to mimic their desert origins. But be careful where you place them. The leaves and stems carry a latex inside which at a minimum can cause rashes but, if too much is ingested, can be toxic.
As a succulent from dry tropical zones, they are winter hardy in zones 10-11. In other areas they must be protected from winter rains and cold. Once temperatures drop to 55°F at night, bring them inside to a well lit place and reduce watering. The plants may drop their leaves and go dormant. If that happens reduce watering or stop it altogether until the leaves begin to grow. There is a species, Adenium swazicum, which comes from mountainous areas and is more tolerant of cool weather.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- A. obesum
- Tags:















- Cultivars / Varieties:
- A. obesum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Adenium
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Some species can provide a salve used for snake bites and scorpion stings. A tea from the roots can be used to treat fever. In larger doses it is a purgative and can prove toxic.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arabian Peninsula, Tropical and Southern Africa
- Distribution:
- Sub-Saharan Africa, the Saudi Peninsula, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Central America, Mexico and some islands of the West Indies.
- Wildlife Value:
- The plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds as well the Euploea core (Andaman Crow butterfly).
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit consists of two, oblong, woody, hairy, follicles which are tapered at both ends and attached at the base. They are brown to grey-brown in color. They are full of small oblong seeds with tufts of dirty white to light brown hairs at both ends.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- All of the species in this genus have tubular flowers with five petals and up to 2 inches wide. The stamens are usually held above the flower. The color ranges from white to deep red with pinks and lighter reds in between. Some forms have lighter colored throats.There are many variegated flowers as well. As most of the plants for sale come from seed, you will always be surprised by the flowers that appear.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are carried in whorls, at the end of the branches. In some species they are 6” long. They are generally grey-green to bright green in color, leathery in texture and ovate or a variation on that form. The venation is pinnate and reticulate. All are thick and fleshy to help preserve that precious water. Some species are evergreen. If you live in the right zone, a large specimen would make an interesting outdoor Christmas tree. The fruit consists of two oblong woody hairy follicles which are tapered at both ends and attached at the base. They are brown to grey-brown in color. They are full of small oblong seeds with tufts of dirty white to light brown hairs at both ends.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The leafless grey-green to brown stems or branches arise from the caudex. They can be straight or twisted. They are fleshy to help with water preservation.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses