Adenium obesum

Desert Rose

Accent

This semi-evergreen plant thrives on sun, heat and little water.

Temperature

Hardy to 34F. The hotter the better. Bring inside to a south window in winter. Extended periods below 40F might kill some of the branch tips. May stop growth and flowering at 100F or higher.

Water requirements

Occasional. Must dry out completely between waterings. Do not water when temperatures go below 50 to 55F, even if several months. Should be kept quite dry in winter when dormant. Needs perfect drainage.

Sun

Full sun to light shade. Put out in the spring to adapt to full sun. Grows faster in light shade, such as under an ocotillo, palo verde or mesquite.

Soil

Use porous clay pots with a mix of one or two parts pumice or perlite, one part coarse sand and one part humus (potting mix).

Maintenance

Periodic.

Disadvantages

Sap is poisonous. Prone to rot.

Bloom

Showy red, pink or lavender blooms in summer.

Uses

Train as bonsai tree, container plant.

Origin

Native of the south and east African desert. Member of the Apocynaceae family.

Themes

Desert, Desert Transitional, Tropical, Subtropical.

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