Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 27 Jan 2026

🌸 Why adenium?

  • Easy to grow in containers
  • Thrive in sun or shade, indoors or out
  • Tolerant of low humidity
  • Very low water needs
  • Forgiving plants that tolerate missed watering
  • Long-lived plants that improve with age
  • Compact size, ideal for patios, balconies, and windows
  • Form unique, sculptural caudex shapes
  • Decorative even when not in bloom
  • Produce stunning, long-lasting flowers
  • Often blooming in a few months

🌸 Adenium Care Basics

Adeniums have many spectacular hybrids, and their basic culture is closer to orchids than to typical houseplants. The key is a small pot, excellent drainage, bright light, and careful watering.

Pot and Soil

  • Use a small pot sized to the root system.
  • Excellent drainage is required.
  • Use a very well-drained mix. We recommend specially formulated for Adeniums Desert Rose Soilless Mix

Light and Blooming

  • Give lots of light for heavy flowering.
  • In warm conditions and longer days, most hybrids and species begin blooming in spring.
  • In warmer climates they can keep blooming through fall and winter.

Watering (Most Important)

  • Adeniums dislike both extremes: over-watering and drying out too often.
  • Use neutral to hard water when possible.
  • Acidic water can sour the mix quickly and may cause root rot.
  • Water in the early morning so the plant can drink through the day.
  • Watering frequency can range from daily to every few days, depending on heat, light, and how fast the mix dries.
  • Never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.
  • Do not let the plant dry out too often, or it may go into early dormancy.
  • Do not wet the leaves.

Fertilizer (Caudex + Flowers)

  • To build a large swollen base/trunk (caudex), use a good quality fertilizer.
  • A fertilizer that helps trunk swelling also supports flowering. The best choice for this is Sunshine Megaflor.
  • Avoid fertilizers that are too high in nitrogen; choose a formula where the middle number is the highest.
  • Never apply fertilizer directly on roots.
  • Do not liquid feed a thirsty plant.
  • Always water lightly first, then feed, to avoid root burn and leaf drop.

The Caudex "Secret" (Shaping the Base)

  • At each repotting, lift the plant slightly so the upper roots are a little exposed.
  • This encourages new roots to grow downward and helps create a thicker, more interesting caudex shape.

Multi-Grafted Plants (Important Note)

  • Adenium hybrids can be multi-grafted with several colors/varieties on the same plant.
  • The swollen base forms only when the rootstock plant is grown from seed.

✍️ Adenium FAQ

How much light do Adeniums need?

Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering. Most hybrids and species start blooming when conditions are warm and days get longer, and in warmer climates they can keep blooming through fall and winter.

What is the best pot size for Adeniums?

Use a small pot sized to the root system, with excellent drainage. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must.

What kind of soil mix should I use?

Use only a well-drained mix. Adeniums do best in very well-drained soil. A small pot plus excellent drainage is the foundation of success.

How often should I water Adeniums?

Adeniums do not like both over-watering and drying-out too often. Water preferably in the early morning and do not water again until the mix dries on the surface. Watering can range from daily to every few days depending on heat, light, and how fast the mix dries.

Can Adeniums sit in a saucer of water?

No. Never allow your Adenium to sit in a saucer of water.

Should I wet the leaves when watering?

No. Do not wet the leaves.

What kind of water do Adeniums prefer?

Adeniums prefer neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot.

How do I create a large, swollen caudex?

At each repotting, lift the plant slightly so the upper parts of the roots are a little exposed. This encourages the plant to form more roots that grow downward and helps create a thicker, more interesting caudex.

What fertilizer should I use for caudex growth and blooms?

Use a good quality fertilizer to support both trunk swelling and flowering. Avoid formulas that are too high in nitrogen; the middle number should be the highest. Never apply fertilizer directly on roots, and do not liquid feed when the plant is thirsty. Water lightly first, then feed, to avoid root burn and leaf drop.

Can an Adenium have multiple flower colors on one plant?

Yes. Adenium hybrids can be multi-grafted with several colors or varieties on the same plant. Note that the swollen base forms only when the rootstock plant is grown from seed.

✍️ Learn About Adeniums

🎥 Watch Adenium Videos

🛒 Shop Adeniums

Date: 5 Mar 2025

New Adeniums and March discount

Cat with adeniums desert roses

We received a THOUSAND NEW ADENIUMS from Thailand - beautiful, well-developed plants with big caudex, ready to bloom! They are finally available for those on the waiting list for specific colors. But hurry! Each variety is available in limited quantities (fewer than 10 per type), and they won't last long - first come, first served!

Everyone loves the colorful, showy Adeniums, and it's easy to see why so many gardeners want to collect them all! With so many varieties to choose from, picking just one can be tough. That's why we're offering a special discount: Save 10% when you buy 2 or more Adeniums! You can also add other plants to your shopping cart for a minimum $99 order and get more plants for the value!

Use this 10% discount code when you buy at least 2 adeniums, or any other plants with min. order $99:

MARCH25

Min order $99. Excluding S/H. Exp. 3-11-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders

Check out video of the new arrivals of Adeniums
and available colors below

Adeniums in pots

Adenium varieties chart

Date: 24 Oct 2016

Overwintering Adeniums outside of tropics

Q: We bought several adenium plants from you. We are moving to the Denver area of Colorado. How can we make sure the plants survive? Should we use a green house?

A: Adeniums are perfect container plants, and house plants. They can be easily grown outside of tropical climate. During winter, Adeniums drop leaves and go into dormancy which makes it easy to keep these plants in a dormant stage in a warm location of your house, or possibly even in well-lit spot of garage (with a window), with temperatures above 50-60F.
Here in South Florida, during time of cold, when chances of freeze are high, we move our own Adenium collection into lanai, with plastic sheet protection around lanai.

In colder climates, Adeniums can be kept indoors as house plants during winter. There are some requirements/tips for you:

  • Temperature. Move Adeniums indoors when temperature starts dropping below 45F.
  • SUNSHINE. Use SUNSHINE boosters to improve cold resistance of Adeniums, and essure healthy plant throughout winter. SUNSHINE-BC formula is specifically designed for plants with caudex, and bonsai.
  • Water. Reduce watering to minimum, especially when plants drop leaves - this means they went into dormancy. Once a week light watering is enough. Water very carefully during cooler months. When it is hot (85-100F), excessive water usually won't harm adeniums: it will be partially used by a plant, and partially will evaporate. Especially be careful with water when temperatures drop below 65F - then tropical plants simply stop growing process and go dormant. Once adeniums start losing leaves, this is a sign to reduce watering to once a week to once a month, and in very small quantity (couple tablespoons per pot).
  • Light. Bright light is not necessary, but do not keep them in dark either, even if all leaves dropped. Good light is necessary to maintain healthy stems and caudex. Keep in mind, the less light, the less watering too. Ideal spot is a windowsill, however if your space is limited and all windows occupied by other "leafy" plants, location close to window will be enough as long as watering is reduced, to avoid rot. We keep our big collection specimens on a roofed porch during winter, where level of light is very low. Last winter we haven't lost a single plant due to low light. They take shade pretty well considering minimum or no water. However bright light is always better - it creates healthier environment for a plant. We all know about space limitations for our large collections, especially in winter. So if you can afford a bright spot for adenium during winter - the plant will be lucky!
  • Soil. Use only well drained mix with much higher content of perlite than you would use for most tropical plants. For adeniums, we use mix with 30-40% of perlite in it, while regular mix has 10-15%. Adeniums like alkaline soil, unlike most of tropical plants (hard to say what else likes alkaline... Ficus for sure!). This means, regular mix with high content of peat moss may cause root rot. To increase alkalinity, you may add dolomite. Here in Florida where we have natural supply of shell rock handy, it is easy to add some shell to a potting mix (shell sand, rather than quartz sand). We always add a few large shells on top of a pots with a big specimen. Besides increasing soil pH (making it more alkaline), shells look very decorative.
  • Fertilizer. No fertilizer until Spring when plants start showing new growth and new leaves.
  • Move your Adeniums outside in Spring, when chances of freeze are zero. More sunlight and air circulation is beneficial for breaking the dormancy and providing plants with a quick growth start.

Date: 24 Jun 2018

TopTropicals

What you need for successful growing Adeniums

1) Adenium plants - from TopTropicals Endless selection of Adeniums. We have double flower, red, purple, yellow and even black flowers!
2) A small pot with excellent drainage is a must. Position the plant in a pot, size of root system.
3) Adenium soil mix. TopTropicals Adenium Soilless Mix. Use only well-drained soil.
4) Lots of light. Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering. However from our own experience, in super hot climates, they look healthier in filtered bright light. After initial planting, once the plant is established and starts growing new leaves (may take a few weeks), gradually move it into brighter light.
5) Little water. Adeniums like a neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot. Water plants preferably in the early morning, and allow them to drink up throughout the day. Watering can be done daily to every few days. Do not water again until soil dries on surface. Never allow your plants to sit in a saucer of water, but don't let them to dry out too often - this causes adeniums to go into early dormancy. Adeniums do not like both over-watering or drying-out.
6) Fertilizer. To make your plant develop a large swollen base/trunk, you'll need a good quality fertilizer. Use slow-release granulated fertilizer for overall plant health, and liquid water soluble fertilizer for swelling up trunks that is also used to increase flowering. It shouldn't be too high in nitrogen, the middle number should be the highest (similar to 10-50-10). Never apply fertilizer directly on roots and do not liquid feed when a plant is thirsty: always water first slightly to avoid root burn and leaf drop. Do not wet leaves.
7) SuperFood micro-elements. Besides macro-nutrients provided by fertilizer, Adenium needs micro-elements for balanced development of root system and especially caudex: Sunshine-SuperFood.
8) SUNSHINE-BC. Spray leaves with SUNSHINE-BC once a month to encourage young growth, profuse flowering and large caudex.
9) Growing caudex. There is a secret how to create a large swollen caudex: raise the plant a bit every time you re-pot it, so that the upper part of roots will be a little exposed. The plant will form more roots that will go down.

See full list of Adeniums - plants and seeds.

Date: 10 Mar 2024

Growing Adeniums: A Beginners Guide

Cat with adenium flowers

Q: How to you keep Adenium happy and blooming like on the pictures?

A: Adeniums, also known as Desert Roses, are exotic and striking plants that can bring beauty to any indoor or outdoor garden. Despite their desert origins, they require a bit of care to thrive. Here's a simple guide to help you grow healthy and vibrant adeniums:

Light and Location: Adeniums prefer filtered light, although they can tolerate full sun. In hot climates, they thrive in bright, indirect light. Position your plant accordingly to ensure optimal growth.

Potting and Soil: Use a small pot with excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging. Opt for a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for adeniums or create your own mix using cactus mix with added limestone for slightly alkaline conditions.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to caudex rot. Water in the early morning and ensure the plant drinks up throughout the day.

Fertilization: Use a liquid fertilizer with high phosphate content to encourage both caudex growth and flowering. Apply according to label instructions, avoiding direct contact with the caudex. We recommend Sunshine Megaflor.

Caring for the Caudex: To promote a large swollen caudex, gradually raise the plant each time you repot it, exposing the upper roots. This encourages the formation of additional roots.

Maintenance and Blooming: Adeniums typically bloom from spring through fall. Ensure they receive ample light for heavy flowering. Avoid wetting the leaves and apply fertilizer to support overall plant health.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the beauty of adeniums in your own garden or home. With proper care and attention, your Desert Roses will flourish and delight you with their stunning blooms.

Adenium field