Depending on the climatic conditions of your region, you can grow Adenium obesum indoors or outdoors. Prominent for its lush blooms and truck-like stem, adenium is a succulent often used as a bonsai.
Though these indoor succulents are slow growers, their vibrant-colored blossoms can add aesthetic appeal to your indoor or outdoor space.
Also known as Desert Rose, adenium is native to Africa and the Middle East.
Interestingly, this sun-loving succulent can maintain its trumpet shape and colourful flowers for a longer time with minimal care.
Although adenium plants are low-maintenance and easy to grow, this does not mean that you won’t have any issues. Leaf diseases and stem rot are common problems while growing adenium plants.
Excess watering and fungus are the main culprits of leaf disease and stem rotting. Apart from these, there are common blunders that most new gardeners do.
If you’re convinced to bring this fascinating ornamental plant to your home, then it is essential to learn how to care for them.
Growing Conditions of Adenium Obesum
Known by various names, including Desert Rose, Mock Azalea, sabi star, Impala Lily, and Dwarf Bottle Tree, Adenium Obesum can be grown outdoors in warm climates USDA zones 11 and 12 and indoors in cooler climates.
To make the plant thrive and bloom, you should be able to mimic the climatic conditions of its native region.
Adenium blooms in spring and summer if proper care and ideal temperature are provided.
In colder regions, you should relocate the adenium plant indoors, as it can’t survive if the temperature drops.
Apart from maintaining optimal temperature, your plant needs ample sun exposure and well-drained soil.
How to Care Adenium Obesum Plant?
Desert Rose is native to semi-arid climates, but it is well-suited for warmer regions. You can grow it indoors in colder areas.
It is essential to understand how to provide proper care to ensure that Desert Rose stays healthy and blooms during the growing season.
Soil, water, and light are three essential requirements of any plant. The same goes with Adenium.
In short:
Soil: Must be well-drained to avoid overwatering and root rotting.
Sunlight: To encourage blooming, the adenium plant needs 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Water: It’s a succulent, so you don’t have to water frequently. Water only when the growing medium is dry.
Temperature: Adenium requires an ideal temperature of 70F -90F. Move the succulent pot indoors if the temperature drops below 60F.
Soil
Overwatering is common among indoor plants, so to prevent excess water, use well-draining soil to grow adenium.
You can use potting soil mix by combining cactus potting mix with coarse sand or perlite. This mixture ensures good drainage and aeration, which are essential for healthy plant growth.
Otherwise, you can prepare your soil mix by combining equal parts of garden soil, sand, and perlite. Adding some gravel or small stones at the bottom of the pot can further improve drainage.
To avoid water logging, ensure the pot in which you’re planting adenium has a drainage hole.
Those who’re planting the Desert Rose in the ground should make sure the soil is well-drained or consider planting in a raised garden bed to improve drainage.
Sunlight
Adenium thrives in full sunlight.
It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to maintain its vibrant growth and encourage blooming.
When grown indoors, place the plant in the brightest spot available, such as a south-facing window. Inadequate light can result in leggy growth and reduced blooming.
If you’re growing your Desert Rose outdoors, ensure it is placed in a location where it can receive ample sunlight.
However, in scorching climates, ensure it gets afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
Temperature
Desert Rose plants prefer warm temperatures and can tolerate a range of 70-90F.
They thrive in USDA zones 11 and 12 but can be grown indoors in cooler climates. It’s important to keep the plant above 60°F, as lower temperatures can damage it or cause dormancy.
If you live in a region with cold winters, bring your Adenium indoors during the winter months. Place the plant in a warm, sunny location away from drafts and sudden temperature changes. The ideal indoor temperature for Adenium Obesum during winter is around 60-70F.
Water Requirements
Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot. This indoor succulent is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.
During the growing season (spring and summer), water the plant thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry.
Ensure the water drains out completely to avoid excess water logging at the base.
During winter, reduce watering adenium significantly and allow the soil to dry out almost completely between watering.
Fertilizing
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are three primary nutrients that adenium needs to promote healthy growth and blooming.
It is recommended to fertilize your Desert Rose during the growing season.
Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength every 4-6 weeks. A fertilizer high in phosphorus can encourage blooming.
Don’t fertilize the ornamental plant during the dormant season in cold climatic conditions.
Over-fertilizing can lead to salt build-up in the soil, which can harm the plant. To prevent root burn, constantly water the plant well before and after applying fertilizer.
Pests and Diseases
Adenium Obesum is relatively pest-resistant, but it can occasionally be affected by common pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects.
Regularly inspect your plant for signs of infestation, such as distorted leaves, sticky residue, or visible insects.
Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap and neem oil or by wiping the pests off with a damp cloth.
Root rot is the most common disease affecting Adenium. It is caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. To prevent root rot, ensure proper watering practices and use well-draining soil.
If root rot occurs, remove the affected parts and allow the plant to dry out before replanting in fresh, dry soil.
Fungal infections can also affect Adenium, particularly in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. If necessary, treat fungal infections with a fungicide according to the product instructions.
How to Overwinter Adenium Obesum?
- Move the plant indoors when temperatures drop below 60F.
- Place it in a bright spot, such as a south-facing window; if needed, use grow lights.
- Water sparingly; allow the potting soil to dry between watering.
- Ensure indoor temperature is between 60-70F, and restrain from placing the plant near drafts or heat sources.
Don’t fertilize the ornamental plant during the dormancy. You can resume fertilizing in spring when new growth appears.
Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases by avoiding overcrowding and using a small fan if needed.
Check the plant regularly for pests like spider mites and mealybugs and treat any infestations promptly. Prune dead or damaged branches and clean the plant before bringing it indoors.
As spring approaches, gradually reintroduce the plant to sunlight and increase watering. Once temperatures stay above 50F, move it outdoors to acclimate it to full sunlight.
Care to Encourage Blooming Adenium Plant
Adenium blooms during spring, but if you don’t care to provide an essential growing environment, it will not bloom or produce fewer blossoms.
- Proving sunlight for at least 6 hours is crucial to encourage blooming.
- To avoid overwatering, use well-draining soil that drains excess water.
- Regulate watering frequency according to climatic conditions in your region.
- Allow the growing medium to dry between watering cycles.
Enrich the adenium plant with well-balanced liquid fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks.
Conduct soil tests and use phosphorus-rich fertilizer to boost blooming accordingly.
Pruning adenium promotes new growth, so trim the plant in early spring.
How to Propagate Adenium from a Stem-Cutting?
You can successfully grow adenium from cutting.
- Choose a healthy branch and cut a 4-6 inch section below a leaf node.
- Let the cutting dry for a few days until a callus forms.
- Plant it in well-draining soil, like a mix of cactus potting mix and perlite.
- Place in a warm, bright area with indirect light and water sparingly. Roots should develop in a few weeks, after which you can increase watering.
Common Adenium Obesum Problems
Growing problems of adenium include root rot from overwatering, pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs, and fungal infections in humid conditions.
Ensure well-draining soil, good air circulation, and regular inspection. Address pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.
Conclusion
Adenium Obesum requires minimal care; providing full sunlight, adequate water, and balanced fertilizer with well-drained soil will be enough for the plant to thrive.
Overwatering is the common cause of root or stem rotting.
Regularly inspect the plant to avoid fungal infestation.
With the proper care, your Adenium will flourish and add exotic beauty to your garden or home.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting