The Desert Rose

This amazing succulent plant has the ability to flower almost all year round. The bright red and pink flowers bloom on the end of branches from spring onward. The buds form on the new growth.

The bulbous trunk or caudex presents like a bonsai and looks great in pots. It has upright, succulent brown branches with oval shaped grey green leaves.

Desert Rose is extremely tough, heat and dry tolerant. They need full sun position outdoors and a bright light spot indoors.

Desert Rose is excellent in pots. Especially for people who "kill everything" as the Adenium obesum lives with little care and can take neglect. If planting in a pot ensure it is large enough to house the expanding caudex. Terracotta pots are ideal as they allow for water to leach away and a little more airflow than glazed pots.

Plant into a well drained sandy soil or potting medium. Good drainage is vital as it is susceptible to root and trunk rot. Plant so the roots are just sitting in the soil, with the trunk sitting on the top. It will form roots lower down. Each time you repot do this to create a knotted caudex or sit it lower for a rounded caudex.

Water Desert Rose to establish. It is best to water in the morning. Water less in winter. You shouldn’t let it sit in water or to dry out for too long.

Use a liquid fertiliser low in nitrogen every other week during growth to encourage a bulbous, rounded caudex. Water first, then apply the liquid fertiliser to the soil outside the root zone.

Supplied as: Pots