The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) is a perennial succulent that's native to Arabia’s semi-arid regions and eastern as well as western tropical Africa.
These are shrubby-tree type plants that have fleshy, bottle-shaped trunks. The bulbous trunks can be half or completely buried in the soil. They are unusual plant specimens that have beautiful flowers, making them quite the conversation piece.
While desert roses are easy to grow, they don't do well outdoors if the temperatures fall below 59 degrees. Because they make excellent container plants, they do quite well inside homes and greenhouses. For this reason, they're popular to use as bonsai plants.
Meet Adenium Obesum
- AKA: Desert Rose or Desert Azalea
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Origination: Eastern Africa
- Habit: perennial succulent shrub
- Zones: 23, 24, H2 or indoors
- Height: 9’ feet tall outdoors
- Spread: 4’ wide outdoors
- Garden Specifics: This species can’t take the cold in any way. If temperatures fall below 59 degrees, the Desert Rose needs to be grown in a heated greenhouse.
- Blooming Time: All summer
- Propagation: Seed or root cuttings in the summer
Desert Rose Care
This succulent’s flowers bloom off of twisted branches that carry sparse glossy green leaves. In fact, the plant is often barren of any leaves at all for long periods of time. The 1 ½” - 2 ½“ flowers are red, deep pink, and occasionally white. They’re saucer-shaped and quite showy.
Desert roses need heat to survive and can’t take the cold or winter chill. They need to receive good light and excellent water drainage. They may be grown in the yard in zones 23, 24; H2 or indoors.
A. obesum can be grown outdoors in warm climates where the temperatures stay above 60 degrees. They need to be planted in humus-rich and slightly alkaline soil in full sun with afternoon shade. Outdoor desert roses have reached 9 feet tall and 4 ½ feet wide.
Grown in a home or greenhouse, they need bright, indirect light with a balanced liquid fertilizer applied 2 -3 times a year. They like regular water when they are growing; however, they need to be kept dry while they’re dormant. Excessive watering can lead to unnatural leaf loss. Inside the desert rose can grow to 5’tall and 3’ wide.
Propagation
The desert rose can be grown from seed or by root cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots in the summer. If it’s propagated by cuttings, they’ll need bottom heat while becoming established. While they don't mind at all being pot-bound, it should have it's roots pruned and be re-potted every two years.
To gather the seeds, bag the seed pods on the plant itself and let the pods dry. When they are completely dry and brittle pull the seed head off with the bag.
*Desert roses are prone to aphids and fungus.
Caution: The sap from the desert rose is toxic and can cause severe intestinal discomfort if ingested. Also it can irritate some people’s skin.
Chris McLaughlin - Chris McLaughlin's gardening books include "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables." Check out her complete profile.
