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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Epidendrum ibaguense Form in bloom
Kalanchoe Leaves
Sedum Flowers
Adenium has some common insect problems:
Root Mealybugs

Desert Rose Adenium

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Desert Rose:

This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Desert rose is a genus of succulent, unarmed, woody perennials in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). They are native to the dry areas in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are cultivated for their thick trunks and brightly colored flowers.

As a succulent from the dry tropics, desert rose is winter hardy in zones 10–11. In other areas, it must be protected from winter rains and cold. Once temperatures drop to 55°F at night, bring plants 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 regrow. Provide a sandy or gravelly potting mix to provide sharp drainage; wet soil can lead to root rots. Because these plants store water in their succulent stems, they can withstand drought. A drought-stress may drop its leaves, but the leaves regrow when water is again available. Desert rose is propagated from seeds or cuttings. The most desirable cultivars are grafted.

Plants can reach 15' in their native habitat but seldom grow that tall in a garden or as a houseplant. They have swollen caudices, branches with clusters of shiny, green leaves at their tips, and 2-inch wide, tubular flowers in white, pink, red and variegated forms. The flowers are reminiscent of those on the Mandevilla vine, which is a distant cousin. The caudex acts as a water storage organ and helps the succulents 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.

These are ideal plants for drought-tolerant gardens, as well as very sunny, hot spots on patios. They are attractive houseplants or greenhouse subjects. The leaves and stems contain a latex that can cause rashes. Keep the latex out of your eyes. Do not ingest the leaves, flowers or stems.

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:
#contorted trunk#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#well-drained soil#multistemmed#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#tropical#desert plant#contact dermatitis#container plant#hsc#hsc-s
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
A. obesum
Tags:
#contorted trunk#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#well-drained soil#multistemmed#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#tropical#desert plant#contact dermatitis#container plant#hsc#hsc-s
  • 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:
    cultivated worldwide, especially in SE Asia and Florida.
    Wildlife Value:
    The plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Irregular
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    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:
    They have tubular flowers with five petals and up to 2 inches wide. The stamens are usually held deep within the flower. The color ranges from white to deep red with pinks and lighter reds in between. Some forms have light-colored throats. There are many variegated flowers as well.
  • 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 clusters, 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The leafless grey-green to gray stems or branches arise from the caudex. They can be straight or twisted. They are fleshy to help with water preservation.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice