Cold-hardy adeniums, our desert rose: The Swazicum adenium (native to Southeastern Africa) is the most cold tolerant of the adenium subspecies. Perpetual pink and Crimson Star are the most popular hybrids of the Swazicum adeniums. These species have a skinnier leaf that is grayish blue in color. The Swazicum adenium of Southeastern Africa gets colder winters than that of where the more common adenium obesum naturally lives. However, the cold varieties will still need to be watched closely through the winter months. They cannot handle wet soils with cold temperatures. As the weather turns colder, stop the watering.
The adenium obesum can handle very little winter cold. In the winter, cooler nights trigger leaf dropping and the adenium goes dormant. At this time stop all watering to allow the plant to go dormant. We highly recommend letting the adenium go dormant. This will allow for better spring growth and flowering.
In order to resume growth in the spring, adeniums must be returned to proper light conditions. If the adenium grows indoors, the leaves will sunburn and likely fall off once the plant is moved outdoors in the spring. However, the plant will likely re-leaf with leaves that function better in the sun. In addition, the stems can also get sunburnt if the plant is placed in full sunlight too quickly or before it has leaves. To avoid this, we recommend that you ease the plant into more sun. One way you can do this is by creating temporary shade for the stems for several days. You can lightly lean cut branches with leaves from other plants against the adenium to create some shade. In the summer we recommend morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sun all day.
Growing adenium plants in your garden provides many natural benefits. With their vibrant flowers and sculptural forms, these succulents make a statement in outdoor spaces. Beyond aesthetics, adeniums offer practical advantages for gardens in arid climates. Read on to learn why adenium is an excellent choice for xeriscaping and how to care for these hardy plants.
Adenium is a genus of succulent plants in the Apocynaceae family. There are around ten species with Adenium obesum being the most popular. These plants are native to the arid regions of Africa and the Arabian peninsula.
Other common names for adenium include desert rose, impala lily, and Sabi star. They earned the moniker “desert rose” from their rose-like flowers and ability to thrive in dry conditions.
Key Features of Adenium Plants
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Caudex stem: The swollen, bulbous caudex stem is the most distinctive feature of adeniums. It stores water and helps the plants survive drought.
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Trumpet-shaped flowers: Vibrant blooms emerge in spring and autumn. Flower colors include red, pink, white, yellow, and combinations.
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Narrow, glossy leaves: The dark green leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern on the branches. Leaves are smooth and taper to a point.
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Slow growth: Although adeniums can reach 6-10 feet tall in their native habitat, they are slow growing when cultivated. Their relatively compact size makes them suitable for containers.
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Drought tolerance: Thanks to their succulent properties, adeniums cope very well with arid conditions. Established plants need minimal irrigation.
Benefits of Growing Adeniums
Here are some of the top reasons to add adeniums to your garden:
Excellent for Xeriscaping and Low Water Landscapes
With their drought-hardy nature, adeniums are ideal for dry climate gardens that minimize supplemental water. They make a perfect addition to rock gardens, succulent beds, and mixed borders in arid regions. Once established, their need for irrigation is very low.
Long-Lasting Flowers
While many succulents have short bloom times, adenium flowers persist for weeks. The striking blossoms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden.
Unique Sculptural Forms
With their swollen caudices and spiraling branch patterns, adeniums offer visual interest even when not in bloom. They make a statement as a focal point or specimen plant.
Low Maintenance
Adeniums need little care once situated in the right spot. Other than occasional watering and pruning, they take care of themselves. These tough plants resist most pests and diseases.
Opportunity to Grow Bonsai
The gnarled shapes and compact growth habits of adeniums make them excellent candidates for bonsai. Their thick caudex stems mimic the look of aged bonsai trees.
Fragrant Flowers
Many adenium varieties have wonderfully fragrant blooms. The sweet, floral scent is another bonus of growing these succulents in your garden.
How to Grow Healthy Adeniums
Adeniums thrive with proper care. Here are some tips for success:
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Site in full sun: Adeniums revel in 8 hours or more of direct sun daily. Provide the brightest spot possible.
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Use well-draining soil: Mix in sand or perlite to improve drainage. Let the soil dry between waterings.
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Water when dry: During summer, water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Cut back in winter.
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Fertilize lightly: Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 months during the growing season.
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Plant in spring: Transplant adeniums in spring after the last frost once night temperatures are above 50°F.
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Bring indoors: In cold climates, adeniums must be overwintered indoors when temperatures drop below 50°F.
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Prune for shape: Trim back overgrown branches in spring to encourage bushy, compact growth.
Natural Pest Control for Adeniums
Adeniums are bothered by few pests and diseases overall. However, common insect pests like mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites may occur. Here are some organic remedies if pests arise:
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Remove bugs by hand or spray off with water.
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Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
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Introduce ladybugs and lacewings to eat harmful insects.
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Use a sulfur fungicide spray for disease prevention.
With their sculptural shapes, vibrant flowers, and drought tolerance, adeniums offer numerous benefits in hot, dry climate gardens. Caring for these succulents is easy with well-draining soil, plenty of sunlight, and minimal watering. Growing adeniums naturally enhances landscapes in arid environments. Add these exotic plants to your garden for a touch of the desert.
Replanting your adenium
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Soil:
A well-draining soil is recommended, such as a cactus soil with pumice and perlite. This type of soil allows for fast drainage and provides an airy, light soil that is great for all types of adeniums.
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Replanting:
When you replant your adenium, raise the woody base of the plant (the caudex) between 1-4 inches (typically 1-2). This will expose the uniqueness of your adenium’s caudex. Branching roots can be saddled (draped) over a small stone for added support and attractiveness. The addition of support stones can also look especially attractive in bonsai-style pottery.
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Pot size:
A shallow, small Bonsai pot is attractive but will greatly slow the growth rate of your adenium by restricting the root space and will dry out quicker to prevent over watering especially during the winter season. Large, deep pots allow the adenium to grow at tremendous rates during the growing season, but they will hold more moisture and take longer to dry out. This can be very dangerous going into the winter season.
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Watering during the growing season:
During the growing season, adeniums can be watered as often as several times a week or even daily, depending on the soil mix that is used, lighting and the outside temperature. Larger pots can be watered less frequently, such as every two weeks or so during the peak growing season. For overall plant health and growth, we recommend regular watering and allowing the soil to almost dry out in between watering. You can check to see if the plant is ready to be watered by sticking your finger 1-2 inches deep into the soil. If it is almost dry, then it is time to water the plant. If it is not, wait.
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Watering during the winter:
The need to water during dormancy depends on the soil, indoor environmental conditions, and the size of the pot. Dormant plants in smaller pots can be watered once a month, while dormant plants in larger pots may not need to be watered at all indoors in the winter. If adeniums are overwintered with temperatures of 50 degrees F or less (whether indoors or outside under a protected area), then they should be kept bone dry regardless of the size of the pot. In this case, do not resume watering until the temperatures warm and the plant begins to show signs of growth (or flowering). This will likely occur in early April (unless the plant is in a greenhouse—then it may be earlier). When watering, we recommend that you thoroughly drench the soil (and ensure the pot can drain to prevent salt buildup).
If you still have questions regarding the care of your adenium, stop by your local SummerWinds Nursery and speak with one of our Trusted Garden Advisors.
Sources: That Cactus Guy DFW and Desert Gardening Guides from Desert Botanical Garden ×
COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING ADENIUM – THE DESERT ROSE | CARE TIPS, TRICKS, SEEDS, CAUDEX
FAQ
What are the health benefits of Adenium plant?
What is the importance of Adenium?
What does the Adenium symbolize?
What are the medicinal uses of desert rose?
Is Adenium a good plant?
Adenium is an excellent addition to any indoor or outdoor garden. But its beauty is not the only benefit you will enjoy from growing adenium. Here are some of the most exciting benefits of this unique plant.
Can Adenium grow from seeds?
If you have one adenium and you take proper care of it, you should good flowering and then seed pod formation soon. It’s best to grow from fresh seeds or buy a plant from a nursery or even online. You can purchase adenium online because it’s a drought tolerant plant and easily survives without water even for 7 days.
What is an Adenium & why should you care?
Adeniums aren’t your run-of-the-mill plants; they’re sculptural wonders of nature. At their core, they boast thick and bulbous bases resembling ancient vases or sculptures carved by master craftsmen. These trunk-like caudices aren’t just for show; they serve as reservoirs, storing precious water reserves.
Do adeniums need a lot of water?
Adeniums are succulent plants that store water in their swollen trunks and roots. Therefore, they do not need frequent watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can kill your plant. Water your Adenium only when the soil is completely dry, and the leaves start to wilt slightly.