The Basics

Adenium are a member of the Apocynacea or dogbane family of flowering plants, native to the arid regions of Africa. Adenium consist of 10-12 different species although some would say that there are only about 5 different species and the others are variation or hybrids of the currently recognized species.

• Adenium arabicum
• Adenium boehmianum
• Adenium multiflorum
• Adenium swazicum
• Adenium obesum
• Adenium obesum obesum
• Adenium obesum oleifolium
• Adenium obesum socotranum
• Adenium obesum somalense

Of the above species I believe the most common found in the US to be the species obesum, though I could be wrong as I don't have the means to genetically test the current specimens I own. (on that note I will only refer to the desert rose as an Adenium, unless I'm sure of the species.)

Adenium is an evergreen or drought deciduous shrub that can grow to a max. of 9-10 ft. in height, with a swollen trunk base or caudex. It requires full sun to thrive and temperatures above 50F to survive, although they can be kept in cooler places of the country if care is taken to prevent them from freezes. They thrive on a xeric watering schedule, and typically bloom from march till the average temp drops below 65F degrees or so. Flowers vary in color from white, pick and red, although I've seen numerous other hybrid colors online including purples and orange.

Important note: All parts of the Desert Rose are poisonous, and care should be taken to prevent little hands and pets from possibly eating leaves or flowers, and while your at it protecting yourself by wearing gloves while cutting, pruning or re-potting couldn't hurt either.

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
-Albert Einstein