Adenium obesum Seeds | Desert Rose
LATIN NAME: Adenium obesum
COMMON NAME: Desert Rose
Plant Profile
Desert Rose is a succulent shrub of the dogbane family with one of the most distinctive silhouettes in cultivation: a swollen, water-storing caudex that can be as wide as the plant is tall, carrying a few stiff branches and a sparse crown of glossy, spoon-shaped leaves. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, five-lobed, and come in shades of pink, red and white, often with a pale throat.
It comes from the arid regions of East Africa and southern Arabia, where it grows on rocky ground and in dry scrub, surviving on dew and the occasional storm. In cultivation it is grown as a pot plant and as bonsai, and named cultivars are selected for the shape of the caudex and the colour of the flower.
Science & Biotechnology
The sap is milky and contains cardenolides, including ouabain-like compounds, which make the plant poisonous if eaten and irritate the skin and eyes on contact. That chemistry is shared with oleander and with other members of the dogbane family, and it is the reason the plant is sold with warnings in many countries.
Its caudex is a water-storage organ that allows the plant to survive months without rain, and it also makes the species a favourite subject for succulent breeding, where growers select for a broad, symmetrical base. Seed-grown plants develop a caudex slowly, which is why grafted and cutting-grown stock dominates the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Desert Rose is grown purely for ornament: the swollen trunk, the sparse glossy foliage and the bright flowers make it a sculpture as much as a plant. It is a standard subject for bonsai and for succulent collections, and it flowers reliably in a sunny window through much of the year.
The plant must be kept away from children and pets, and gloves should be worn when repotting or pruning, since the sap is toxic and can cause a rash. It is not a medicinal plant to be used at home, despite its presence in the folk medicine of its native range.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed on the surface of a gritty, free-draining succulent mix, press it in lightly, and keep it at 25 to 30 °C with bright but not scorching light. Germination is quick, often within a week, and fresh seed gives far better results than stored.
Water the seedlings sparingly but steadily, letting the mix dry between waterings, and pot them on into a mix with plenty of grit as the caudex begins to swell. Give full sun and a minimum of 10 °C in winter, and reduce water to almost nothing during the dormant season. Repot every two or three years, raising the caudex slightly each time.
Our Take
A succulent with real presence, grown for its swollen trunk and its long season of flowers. Easy from fresh seed, but the sap is poisonous, so handle it with gloves and keep it out of reach.
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