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Plant Profile

Adenium obesum (Desert rose)

Desert rose is a large perennial shrub to small tree with a large swollen trunk. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia. It usually drops the leaves in the dry season. During the summer it produces a mass of deep rose/red to pale pink flowers but they can appear throughout the year. Desert rose is very cold sensitive and will not tolerate cold soil, air or frost. It prefers full sun but can grow in a bit of afternoon shade. Desert rose grows best dry winters and wet summers mimic its native habitat. For proper flowering similar conditions has to be simulated. The plant produces toxic saps. 

  • Landscape Information
  • Botanical Description
  • Horticulture Management
  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • French Name: Rose du désert

    Pronunciation: a-DEE-nee-um oh-BEE-sum

  • Plant type: Cactus / Succulent

  • Origin: Africa

  • Heat Zones: 10 to 16

    Hardiness Zones: 10 to 13

  • Uses: Topiary, Bonsai, Specimen, Indoor, Container

  • Size/Shape

    Growth Rate: Slow

    Tree Shape: Round

    Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical

    Canopy Density: Dense

    Canopy Texture: Fine

    Height at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 m

    Spread at Maturity: 0.5 to 1 meter

    Time to Ultimate Height: 2 to 5 Years

  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Foliage

    Leaf Venation: Pinnate

    Leaf Persistance: Semi Evergreen

    Leaf Type: Simple

    Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm

    Leaf Shape: Obovate

    Leaf Margins: Entire

    Leaf Texture: Glossy

    Leaf Scent: No Fragance

    Color(growing season): Green

    Color(changing season): Brown

  • Flower

    Flower Showiness: Yes

    Flower Size Range: 3 - 7

    Flower Type: Solitary

    Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

    Flower Scent: No Fragance

    Flower Color: Red, Purple, White, Pink

    Seasons: Year Round

  • Trunk

    Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Suspected to breakage

    Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked, Can be trained to one trunk

    Trunk esthetic Values: Smooth

  • Fruit

    Fruit Showiness: No

    Seasons: Year Round

  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Daderot (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Tolerance

    Frost Tolerant: No

    Heat Tolerance: Yes

    Drought Tolerance: Yes

    Salt Tolerance: Moderate

  • Requirements

    Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand

    Soil Ph Requirements: Neutral, Alkaline

    Water Requirements: Moderate

    Light Requirements: Full, Part

  • Management

    Toxicity: Yes

    Invasive Potential: No

    Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

    Pruning Requirements: No pruning at all

    Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

    Pests: Aphids

    Plant Propagation: Seed, Cutting

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