About
Adenium obesum is a succulent perennial characterized by a thick, swollen stem that tapers to a branching tip. This plant produces compact clusters of flowers in shades of red, pink, or white, which bloom ahead of its oval leaves.
About the genus
Adenium consists of succulent perennial shrubs characterized by a swollen, bottle-shaped caudex that branches at the top. These plants produce clusters of simple leaves at their ends, accompanied by small, salver-shaped flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- Arabia, Tropical Africa
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sharp sand in full light with shade from hot sun
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe at 21°C (70°F). Root cuttings from non-flowering shoots in summer with bottom heat
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free