The name of the desert rose (Adenium) might not suggest it, but the drought-loving plant spoils you with numerous flowers.
Depending on the variety, the desert rose can have red, pink or white flowers and also has the most unusual stem forms. We show how to care for the undemanding succulents and present the most beautiful varieties.
Desert rose: origin and properties
The desert rose is a genus of plants found in parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) and contains the milky sap typical of this plant family. It escapes when the plants are injured and can irritate the skin or even cause poisoning. The desert rose survives the dry season in its homeland without any problems. It is a stem succulent, which means it can store water in the so-called caudex. This is the storage organ of the plant between the root and stem. The caudex can be shaped and pronounced in different ways and look very decorative.
The evergreen shrub sometimes appears like a tree and can reach heights of up to five meters in nature. But how big does a desert rose grow in indoor culture? That depends entirely on the variety and can vary from 30 cm to 3 meters. The leaves are oval, thickened and dark green. Adenium not only impresses with its interesting trunk shape and evergreen leaves, but also with its pretty flowers. The desert rose flowers appear from April and remain until July. The desert rose can bloom in all shades of color from white to violet. Even double flowers are available due to breeding.
The most beautiful desert rose varieties and species
There is still disagreement about the desert rose species and varieties. It is sometimes assumed that there is only one desert rose species, namely the common desert rose (Adenium obesum). All other representatives would therefore be subspecies. However, it is also possible that it isof several different types. A distinct species or subspecies, all of the following desert roses are suitable houseplants and beautiful to look at.
- Adenium obesum: The common desert rose is considered a true desert rose. Their flowers can be different colors, usually the inner flower is lighter colored than the outer one, which results in a nice color transition.
- Adenium arabic: This Somali desert rose looks very similar to Adenium obesum. If you want to cultivate the desert rose as a bonsai, it is best to use Adenium arabicum, as it is best suited for this purpose.
- Adenium multiflorum: As the name suggests, this desert rose scores with its impressive flowers. In nature, however, this species does not grow quite so large and it usually stays at a height of about three meters.
- Desert Rose 'Schneeweiß': This desert rose variety has white flowers and double flowers. This makes her appear particularly magnificent.
- Desert Rose 'Golden Dragon': Rather unusual for desert roses is the variety 'Golden Dragon', which forms yellow flowers.
Cultivation, location and soil
Adenium is a very undemanding houseplant that is easy to care for. You don't have to buy a ready-made plant to enjoy an Adenium, you can also grow the desert rose from seed. When using seeds, the caudex of the small plants is usually better developed than in offspring obtained from cuttings. In the spring, spread the seeds on the growing substrate and cover the seeds with soil. The layer should be a maximum of one centimeter thick. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a warm and bright place at around 20 to 25°C. The first seedlings can appear after a week. When the first pairs of leaves appear, you can repot the small desert roses. When planting, the part of the caudex where most of the roots are located should be covered with soil. One canalso leave a slightly larger part of the caudex on the surface and simply cut off the upper fine roots. A shallow pot ensures that the caudex does not develop long and stake-like.
The desert rose needs a spot that is warm and very sunny. It can therefore be placed directly on the south window without any problems, as long as there is no constant draft there. Temperatures of around 20 °C are recommended, but it can also be warmer. Even dry air is not a problem. As soon as the temperatures in summer are in the double digits, you can also put the desert rose outside. There, the enjoyment of light is usually higher than at the window and Adenium has the best conditions for strong, albeit slow growth.
So that the conditions are right in the root area, the substrate must be permeable and the pot must have a drainage hole. As with most plants, a drainage layer of coarse material such as pebbles at the bottom of the pot is recommended. Then plant the desert rose in a mixture of two-thirds potting soil and at least one-third quartz sand, which increases permeability. For example, you can use our Plantura organic universal soil as a basis, the pH value of which is in the optimal range for the desert rose and is mainly made from recycled vegetable raw materials.
Caring for desert roses
If you are looking for an undemanding houseplant, the desert rose is the right choice. Dryness and warmth are the two basic requirements for successful desert rose care.
Pruning, watering and fertilizing the desert rose
The most important thing when watering the desert rose is to avoid waterlogging. Remove any water that runs off after pouring into the coaster. Watering is only done when the substrate feels dry. In any case, the desert rose tolerates drought better than wet. In winter, the water supply can be almost completely stopped. If it gets too cold and there is little water, the desert rose goes into a dormant phase and sheds its leaves. It will sprout again next spring.
The desert rose is only fertilized during the growth phase. No fertilizer is needed during hibernation. The growing season extends from March to October, during which time you can fertilize about every four weeks. If available, use a cactus fertilizer or usea green plant fertilizer in half the dosage. Our Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer, for example, is ideal for this and is suitable for almost all indoor plants. In addition to the important nutrient elements nitrogen and potassium, it also contains microorganisms that support root growth.
It is not necessary to prune the desert rose as it grows very slowly anyway. If you want to interfere with the shape, however, a cut is possible, because the desert rose will sprout again at this point. The best time is after flowering. Otherwise the created flower buds could be cut off.
You can also repot the desert rose at this time. However, this is sufficient every few years when the roots grow out of the bottom of the pot, as growth progresses very slowly.
Yellow leaves and loss of leaves on the desert rose: what to do?
Is your desert rose losing leaves or turning yellow? That doesn't have to be a cause for concern.
- Yellow Leaves: If you intentionally put the desert rose into hibernation in winter by stopping watering, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. However, at other times too much or too little nutrients or root rot from waterlogging can be the trigger for leaf change.
- No Blossoms: The desert rose is not blooming? The dormant phase in winter is crucial for rich flowering in spring. If the right hibernation does not take place, it can lead to failures in the flower and also in the leaves.
- Loafing: It is quite normal for the desert rose as a houseplant to lose its leaves in winter if it is no longer watered. It also gets too little light in the cold season. However, if the leaves fall off in spring or summer, there may be a care error.
- Pests: The Desert Rose is seldom attacked by diseases or pests. Spider mites or mealybugs particularly like the dry air in winter. In the event of an infestation, the plant should be washed carefully but thoroughly.
Propagating desert roses: seeds, cuttings and co.
To propagate the desert rose, both cuttings and seeds are suitable. The decisive advantage of the seed is the stronger development of the caudex.
The desert rose is propagated by cuttings in summer or spring. There will be shootswithout flowers, but used with at least two pairs of leaves. Cut off a shoot with a sharp cutting tool and let it dry for a day or two. Then you can put the cuttings in potting soil and keep them warm and slightly moist.
Using your own seeds is also promising. Between July and August, the seeds ripen, which are in oblong, brown capsules. The mature capsules are harvested and the seeds extracted. Then you can start sowing directly, as the germination capacity is highest with fresh seeds. You can find out how to do this in the section on cultivation, soil and location above.
Winter Desert Rose
Overwintering the desert rose is crucial for flowering next year. In the cold season, the sun-loving succulent does not get enough light for growth anyway and is therefore put into a dormant phase.
It is important that the temperature does not drop below 15 °C even in winter. In the cold season there is no fertilization and watering is very reduced. During the hibernation - also called dry dormancy in the case of the desert rose - the leaves of the actually evergreen plants are shed. After a successful hibernation, however, flowers and leaves sprout again in abundance from spring as soon as watering begins again. Every few years, when the pot has become too small, the desert rose can be repotted after the hibernation but before new growth.
Is the desert rose poisonous?
Because of its milky sap, the desert rose is poisonous. It should not be touched or eaten as it can cause skin irritation and poisoning. Gloves can be worn when working to protect against the sap. The desert rose should not be placed within the reach of children or pets.
There are many other flowering succulents, some of which are hardy. We have put together a small overview for you.