Adenium obesum
Also known as: Desert rose
The desert rose: a fat bottle-shaped caudex crowned with glossy leaves and brilliant pink trumpets. It belongs to the Adenium genus, comes from Africa/Arabia (Sahel and Arabia), stays around Caudex 30–100 cm; height 1–2 m, and tolerates USDA 10b–12; keep above 10 °C, dry. Individual plants vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Key facts
- Genus: Adenium
- Origin: Africa/Arabia (Sahel and Arabia)
- Mature size: Caudex 30–100 cm; height 1–2 m
- Hardiness: USDA 10b–12; keep above 10 °C, dry
- Toxicity: ⚠️ All parts highly toxic (sap used as fish poison)
Succulent at a glance
- Genus
- Adenium
- Origin
- Africa/Arabia (Sahel and Arabia)
- Mature size
- Caudex 30–100 cm; height 1–2 m
- Growth habit
- Fat bottle caudex with branching tips
- Leaf colour
- Spiral-tipped glossy leaves at branch ends
- Flower colour
- Pink-red trumpet clusters
- Hardiness
- USDA 10b–12; keep above 10 °C, dry
- Toxicity
- ⚠️ All parts highly toxic (sap used as fish poison)
- Other names
- Desert rose
About the Adenium obesum
The desert rose: a fat bottle-shaped caudex crowned with glossy leaves and brilliant pink trumpets. Needs full sun, heat and a strictly dry winter rest — in summer it drinks like a tropical. All parts are highly toxic.
Care and cultivation
The desert rose needs full sun, heat and a strict dry winter rest. Grow in a very gritty mix; water generously only in hot weather. Highly toxic — gloves when pruning. Light: Full sun (acclimate gradually). Water: Weekly in hot growth; almost dry in winter dormancy. Soil: Very gritty, low-organic mix.
Description
Adenium obesum is a Adenium succulent from Africa/Arabia (Sahel and Arabia). The desert rose: a fat bottle-shaped caudex crowned with glossy leaves and brilliant pink trumpets. Needs full sun, heat and a strictly dry winter rest — in summer it drinks like a tropical. All parts are highly toxic.
Identification
Key identification features: Spiral-tipped glossy leaves at branch ends leaves in a Fat bottle caudex with branching tips form, reaching Caudex 30–100 cm; height 1–2 m. Also known as Desert rose. Nickname: 'Desert rose'. Nickname: 'Desert rose'.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Adenium obesum?
Weekly in hot growth; almost dry in winter dormancy. Let the soil dry completely between waterings and reduce water in winter.
Is Adenium obesum toxic to pets?
⚠️ All parts highly toxic (sap used as fish poison). Keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.
Related succulents
Succulent information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Adenium obesum, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.