Adenium (Desert Rose)

Origin

The genus *Adenium* belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is often called desert rose in German. This genus is frequently debated in the botanical world, as it is sometimes described as monotypic. This means that the genus only includes one species, namely *Adenium obesum*. Others classify up to 15 different species within it. The genus is originally from Africa and Arabia.

Appearance

Adenium grows in the form of shrubs. They form a caudex, a thickened stem, in which they store water to survive dry periods. The stem can grow up to 5 meters high and 2 meters wide, but it does not reach these dimensions in cultivation. The flowers are usually pink or red.

Care

Location:A warm and sunny location is ideal for Adenium. A south-facing window with direct sunlight is well-suited.
Substrate:A mixture of cactus soil with mineral components, such as pumice, gravel or vermiculite, is suitable as a substrate. The substrate should always be loose and permeable so that no water remains in the soil, but can drain well.
Irrigation:As with most succulents, it's better to water Adeniums too little than too much, and only water again when the substrate has dried out. The succulents cannot tolerate waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot. The water should therefore either be able to drain out through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, or be emptied out after a few minutes if there is no drainage hole.
Fertilizer:Fertilize approximately once a month during the growing season, preferably with cactus and succulent fertilizer. Adenium does not require any fertilizer during its dormant phase.
Summer/Winter:Adenium can spend the summer outdoors, but should be gradually acclimated to the sun to avoid sunburn. When it gets colder, it should be brought back indoors and given a place with a temperature of around 15°C. During this time, it should not be fertilized and watered only rarely. During its dormancy period, it loses most of its leaves.

Popular species

Adenium obesum:Like the genus, it is also called desert rose in German. It has the typical thick caudex and red flowers. Its leaves are dark green. It can reach a height of 100 to 300 cm. You can find a blog article about Adenium obesumhere.
Adenium obesum 'Pink Star':This succulent is a hybrid. It looks similar to Adenium obesum, but its flowers are lighter in color. They are yellowish in the center, then become whitish with a pinkish edge.

Note:Adenium has a milky sap that can be poisonous. We cannot guarantee compatibility with animals.