Desert Rose Adenium

Adenium obesum, the desert rose, is a succulent shrub with a swollen, water-storing stem and a sculptural branching form. Its showy trumpet-shaped flowers appear in summer in pink, red, or white; the plant is usually grown in a container where winters are cold. ## Landscape Use Use it as a patio or indoor specimen, or train a cultivated plant as a bonsai. The thick caudex and glossy leaves give it interest even between flowering periods. [North Carolina State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/adenium-obesum/common-name/desert-azalea/) notes its use as a houseplant, patio plant, and bonsai; the [University of Florida IFAS guide](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP474) describes it as a dramatic deck or patio specimen that should be moved indoors for winter in climates with freezing temperatures. ## Siting and Water Give the plant bright sunlight for reliable flowering and use a porous, well-drained cactus or succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes. Water during active growth, then allow the mix to dry between waterings. Wet roots can rot. It tolerates dry periods, but should not be left without water while growing. Outdoor year-round hardiness is tropical: UF/IFAS gives USDA Zones 10B–12, while Oregon State University lists Zone 11, so container culture is the practical choice in colder regions. [Oregon State University profile](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/adenium-obesum) ## Seasonal Interest Flowering occurs in summer under warm, bright conditions. In a cool winter rest, foliage may yellow or drop; resume watering as temperatures rise and growth restarts. The species’ flowers vary among plants and cultivars, so the listed colors are general species-level colors rather than a guarantee for a particular seedling. ## Safety Milky sap is poisonous if swallowed and can irritate skin. Handle cut or damaged stems carefully, keep plant parts away from children and pets, and wash sap from skin promptly. ## Maintenance In temperate climates, move the container indoors before temperatures approach 55°F and reduce watering during dormancy. Check periodically for mealybugs, scale, or spider mites, and avoid wet potting mix during cool weather.