How to Care of Adenium Plant : Adenium plant care is easy if you know the basics. In this post, I’m sharing my personal experience on how to grow and care for the beautiful Desert Rose plant at home.
I have been growing plants for many years, and the Adenium plant—also known as the Desert Rose—is one of my favorites. It looks like a mini bonsai tree and grows colorful flowers that make any garden look special. In this post, I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about taking care of the Adenium plant in simple words, just like how I explain to my friends and family.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What is Adenium Plant?
Adenium is a flowering plant that has a thick stem and beautiful flowers, usually pink, red, or white. It’s called Desert Rose because it grows well in dry and sunny places. The stem stores water, so it doesn’t need much watering like other plants.
There are a few common types of Adenium:
- Adenium Obesum – most popular, colorful flowers
- Adenium Arabicum – thick trunk, looks like a bonsai
- Adenium Swazicum – smaller flowers, narrow leaves
My Quick Tips to Take Care of Adenium
- Keep it in a sunny place (5–6 hours of sun daily)
- Water only when the soil is dry
- Use well-draining soil (don’t use regular garden soil)
- Fertilize once a month in the growing season
- Use a pot with holes to drain water
- Trim or prune in spring for more flowers
Watering Tips (From My Experience)
Adenium doesn’t like too much water. In the beginning, I made the mistake of watering it like my other plants, and the stem became soft. Later, I learned:
- In summer, I water every 5–7 days
- In winter, I water only once in 15–20 days
- Always check the soil first – if it’s dry 1–2 inches deep, then water
- Never let water stay at the bottom of the pot
Best Soil for Adenium Plant
Soil is very important for Adenium. If the soil stays wet for long, the roots can rot. I use this simple soil mix:
- 40% sand or perlite
- 30% garden soil
- 30% compost or cocopeat
I sometimes add neem cake to keep pests away. This mix works really well for me.
Sunlight – A Must for Flowers
From my experience, if the Adenium doesn’t get enough sunlight, it won’t give flowers. So I always keep mine:
- Outside in full sun (balcony or terrace)
- If indoors, near a window with direct sunlight
- At least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight every day is needed
Temperature and Humidity
Adenium loves heat. In my area, the temperature often goes above 30°C and it grows really well. Here’s what I noticed:
- Best temperature: 25°C to 35°C
- It does not like cold weather – below 10°C, it starts dropping leaves
- I keep it inside the house during winter to protect it
Fertilizer – What I Use
I don’t use anything fancy. Just a simple fertilizer with more potassium and phosphorus (like 5-10-10) works well.
- I feed the plant once a month from March to October
- In winter, I stop fertilizing because the plant rests
How to Grow New Adenium Plants
You can grow Adenium from seeds or cuttings. I’ve tried both.
From Seeds:
- Soak seeds in water for 3–4 hours
- Sow in light soil and keep it warm
- Seeds grow in 7–10 days
From Cuttings:
- Cut a healthy branch, let it dry for 2 days
- Then plant in dry soil
- Water only after 4–5 days, roots will form in 2–3 weeks
Problems I Faced and How I Solved Them
| Problem | Reason | What I Did |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering | I started watering less |
| No flowers | Low sunlight or wrong fertilizer | Moved to sunny spot, used low-nitrogen fertilizer |
| Soft trunk | Root rot from wet soil | Changed soil, used a pot with holes |
| Leaves falling in winter | Natural dormancy | I stopped worrying, it’s normal |
FAQ – How to Care of Adenium Plant
Can I grow Adenium indoors?
Yes, but it must get at least 5–6 hours of sunlight near a window.
Why is my Adenium not flowering?
It may not be getting enough sun, or you might be using the wrong fertilizer.
How often should I water my Adenium?
Only when the soil is completely dry – usually once a week in summer.
Conclusion – My Experience with Adenium
Taking care of the Adenium plant is very simple if you follow some basic rules. Give it lots of sunlight, don’t overwater, and use fast-draining soil. I have grown Adenium in pots on my terrace, and every year, it gives me big, beautiful flowers. It’s one of those plants that makes your garden look royal without much effort
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