How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings?

Adenium or Desert rose plants resemble living sculptures in your garden. Its twisted trucks are enticing and used to store water.

While it may seem tough to grow adenium, you can easily propagate them through cuttings.

Though you can also grow adenium from seeds, in this write-up, I’ll discuss only the propagation through stem cuttings.

There are a few tricks to get the propagation right. The biggest mistake most people make is drowning their poor Adenium in water.

These plants are desert dwellers and are built to survive in dry conditions so that excess water will result in root rot.

Choose a healthy Adenium plant and cut the stem using a sterilized cutter. Apply root hormone to the cutting and plant it in the potting soil mix after 10-15 minutes.

In less than 20 days, your cutting will start growing roots.

Ensure proper care, which includes enough sunlight, water, and well-drained soil.

Inspect the new cutting regularly for any possible fungal infestation.

Growing Requirements of Adenium (Desert Rose)

For the successful growth of adenium, it is essential to know the growing conditions of the plant.

Commonly known as Desert Rose, Adenium thrives in warm, dry conditions and requires plenty of sunlight to flourish.

It grows best in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. When grown indoors, placing it near a sunny window or under grow lights ensures healthy growth.

In cooler climates, it should be brought indoors during winter, as it is highly sensitive to frost.

Well-draining soil is essential for Adenium, as its thick, water-storing caudex is prone to rot in overly moist conditions.

A sandy or cactus mix with added perlite works well to provide aeration and prevent excess moisture retention. The pot should have drainage holes to allow water to escape easily, reducing the risk of root rot.

Check this: 19 Best Low Light Succulents to Grow Indoors

Adenium is drought-tolerant and requires careful watering. It should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

During active growth in warmer months, it needs more frequent watering, while in winter, watering should be minimal since the plant goes dormant. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of problems, so it’s important to follow a controlled watering schedule.

In addition to proper light, soil, and watering, Adenium benefits from warm temperatures and good air circulation. It prefers temperatures between 70–90F and struggles in cold, damp conditions.

Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season encourages healthy foliage and abundant blooms, helping the plant reach its full ornamental potential.

How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings?

This stunning succulent is prized for its swollen caudex, sculptural branches, and vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers.

While you can grow from seeds, propagating Adenium from cuttings offers several advantages.

Cuttings allow you to produce mature plants much faster than seeds, ensuring that the new plant retains the exact characteristics of the parent.

Propagating through cutting is especially beneficial for maintaining specific flower colors, growth habits, or other desirable traits.

Additionally, propagation through cuttings is relatively simple and has a high success rate when done correctly.

Unlike growing from seeds, which can take years to develop a thickened caudex, cuttings already have a head start in forming their characteristic trunk.

Propagate Adenium from Cuttings

1. Selecting the Right Cutting

The first step in propagating Adenium is choosing a healthy and mature parent plant. Look for a plant with strong, disease-free stems.

The ideal cutting should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) long and about the thickness of a pencil or thicker. Avoid using very young or thin stems, as they may struggle to root successfully.

The best time to take cuttings is during the growing season—spring or summer—when the plant is actively growing. This ensures a higher success rate and quicker root development.

2. Preparing the Cutting

Once you’ve selected a healthy stem, use a sharp, sterilized knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for rooting. Remove any leaves from the lower part of the cutting to prevent moisture loss and fungal issues.

Allow the cutting to dry for 2–3 days in a warm, shaded place. This process, known as callusing, helps prevent rot and promotes successful rooting. Some gardeners dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage faster root development, though this step is optional.

3. Choosing the Right Soil and Pot

Adenium cuttings need well-draining soil to prevent rot. A mix of sandy soil, perlite, and cactus potting mix works well. Avoid regular garden soil, as it retains too much moisture.

Select a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. A shallow pot is ideal for starting cuttings, as it allows the young roots to spread easily.

4. Planting the Cutting

Once the cutting has callused, plant it about 1–2 inches deep into the soil. Gently press the soil around the base to hold it upright. Avoid watering immediately, as excessive moisture can lead to rot. Instead, wait about a week before giving it a light watering.

5. Transplanting and Long-Term Care

After the cutting has established a strong root system and begins showing new growth, it can be transplanted into a larger pot. Use the same well-draining soil mix and ensure the pot has good drainage.

To encourage healthy growth and flowering, fertilize Adenium with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding during winter as the plant enters dormancy.

How to Care for Adenium after Propagation?

Once your Adenium cuttings have successfully rooted, proper care is essential to ensure healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Adenium, or Desert Rose, is a hardy succulent, but it requires specific conditions to thrive. Below are key care tips to follow after propagation.

1. Gradual Light Exposure

After propagation, young Adenium plants should be introduced to sunlight gradually. Initially, please keep them in bright, indirect light to prevent stress or sunburn.

Over the next few weeks, slowly expose them to more sunlight until they can tolerate at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If grown indoors, place them near a sunny window or supplement them with grow lights.

2. Proper Watering Routine

Adenium is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. After propagation, water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Overwatering can lead to root rot, a common issue with young Adenium plants. During the growing season (spring and summer), water deeply but infrequently. In winter, when the plant enters dormancy, reduce watering significantly.

3. Choosing the Right Soil and Pot

For continued healthy growth, ensure that your Adenium is planted in well-draining soil. A mix of cactus soil, perlite, and sand works best to prevent excess moisture retention.

The pot should have drainage holes to allow water to escape easily. As the plant matures, consider repotting it into a slightly larger container every couple of years to accommodate growth.

4. Fertilizing for Strong Growth

Fertilizing helps Adenium develop a thicker caudex and produce abundant blooms. Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 mix) every 2–4 weeks during the growing season.

A fertilizer high in phosphorus (such as 10-50-10) can encourage more flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. During winter dormancy, stop fertilizing.

5. Pruning and Shaping

To encourage a bushy, well-shaped plant, prune your Adenium regularly. Remove leggy or weak branches to promote better airflow and encourage new growth.

Pruning also helps develop a thicker caudex, giving the plant a more sculptural appearance. The best time to prune is in early spring before the active growing season begins.

6. Temperature and Climate Considerations

Adenium thrives in warm temperatures ranging from 70–90°F (21–32°C). It is highly sensitive to cold and should be protected from temperatures below 50°F (10°C).

If grown in a colder climate, bring the plant indoors during winter and keep it in a warm, dry place. Avoid exposing it to sudden temperature changes, as this can cause stress and leaf drop.

7. Pest and Disease Prevention

While Adenium is relatively pest-resistant, it can occasionally attract aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Regularly inspect the plant for pests, and if needed, treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Fungal infections, often caused by overwatering, can be prevented by ensuring proper drainage and airflow around the plant.

8. Supporting Blooming

Adenium typically blooms during the warm months when given optimal care. To encourage flowering, provide plenty of sunlight, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, and avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage growth over blooms.

Mature Adenium plants may go through natural blooming cycles, producing flowers several times a year.

Conclusion

Growing Adenium from cuttings is a simple and rewarding way to propagate these stunning succulents.

By selecting healthy cuttings, allowing them to callus, and planting them in well-draining soil, you can successfully root and grow new plants that retain the characteristics of the parent.

Providing the right balance of sunlight, water, and warmth is essential for ensuring strong root development and long-term growth.