Desert rose Adenium obesum
Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Apocynaceae family, native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It grows 60 cm–3 m (24 in–10 ft) tall and 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Desert rose at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–3 m (24 in–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula |
| Common in gardens of | 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇪🇬 Egypt |
Is Desert rose toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: sap, all parts
Sap contains cardiac glycosides and was used as an arrow poison.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Desert rose
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Desert rose
- How far apart should I plant Desert rose?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Desert rose need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Desert rose need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Desert rose?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Desert rose flower?
- From about April for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Desert rose poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Sap contains cardiac glycosides and was used as an arrow poison.
- What grows well with Desert rose?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Desert rose. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Poisonous plants of North Carolina / Plant Toolbox toxicity, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Swollen caudex trunk, grown as bonsai-like pot plants across Thailand and the tropics. Rots if wet and cool; drops leaves in a cool dry season.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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