Adenium obesum (Desert rose)

Botanical name

Adenium obesum

Other names

Desert rose, Impala lily, Adenium arabicum, Adenium micranthum, Adenium speciosum, Nerium obesum, Kudu, Sabi star

Genus

Adenium Adenium

Species

A. obesum - A. obesum is a variable, perennial succulent with a thick, bottle-shaped caudex and upright, succulent brown branches bearing ovate, grey-green leaves and, in summer, terminal clusters of red, pink or white flowers, sometimes before the leaves emerge.

Native to

Africa

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Irregular, Upright

Toxicity

Sap may irritate skin and will cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

White, Red, Pink in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

General care

Propagation methods

Root cuttings, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Adenium obesum (Desert rose) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Mediterranean, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in full light with shade from hot sun. Water & feed moderately in growth; sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil in full sun with midday shade.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Adenium obesum (Desert rose)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus pandurus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Adenium obesum (Desert rose)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus hospes

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/