Desert rose (adenium): cultivation and care

In September 2026, Jardiner Malin updated its profile of the adenium (Adenium obesum), a succulent from arid regions prized for its swollen caudex that stores water.

It needs a very bright spot, ideally a south- or east-facing window; without enough light it stretches and flowers little. The substrate must drain very well, for example universal potting soil mixed with sand or pozzolana, or a cactus mix. The pot needs drainage holes and should be only slightly wider than the caudex, and it should be repotted in spring every two to three years.

It goes outside only between May and September, gradually, and the temperature must never drop below 10 °C. Watering is sparing, only when the substrate is dry, and reduced in winter, since excess water is the main cause of root rot. During growth, feed with a flowering-plant or cactus fertiliser every four to six weeks, then stop in autumn and winter.

Sowing is the most common method but it is slow, whereas cuttings flower sooner without forming the characteristic caudex. Leaf drop in winter is normal as long as the caudex stays firm. The whole plant is toxic if ingested.

The remark on cuttings is the one I will remember: if you want a fine caudex, you have to go through seed.

Source: Jardiner Malin