Frequently asked questions / FAQ

Is the Adenium toxic to humans?

Yes, this plant is very toxic to humans and animals.

Is the Adenium toxic to animals?

Yes, this plant is very toxic to humans and animals.

Does the Adenium pollinate itself?

No, the Adenium is not self-pollinating. However, insects may sometimes transfer pollen from other desert roses far away.

Why do the leaves of my Adenium curl?

When the leaves curl on an Adenium, it often means that the plant is not getting enough nutrients. It is also possible that the plant is not getting enough water. So make sure it gets enough moisture and good nutrition. You can supplement with "Ultra Focus" plant food. We advise against cheap nutrition such as Pokon, they even work harmful.

How long can Adenium seeds germinate?

Adenium seeds germinate best when they are fresh. The older the seeds, the less likely they are to germinate.

How big will the Adenium grow?

In the Netherlands, after a long growing period, an Adenium can grow about 1-3 meters tall.

Can the Adenium grow indoors?

Yes, the desert rose likes heat, but also a lot of sunlight. So get a good spot near a window with plenty of sunlight coming through.

Can the Adenium be propagated?

Yes, the desert rose can be pricked, via leaf cuttings and via 'top cuttings'. The shoots can also be pricked.

Is Bonsai possible with the Adenium?

It is not common, but the Adenium is fine for growing as a Bonsai.

Can I prune the Adenium in the winter?

It could possibly be done, even though the plant would have difficulty recovering. But we strongly advise against it. It is best to prune the Adenium in early autumn or from mid-spring onwards. Then the plant has a good opportunity to recover.

Can I prune the Adenium in the summer?

This is also possible, but we also advise against it because Summer is the growing season. If you do it anyway you can expect the plant to grow or bloom very little in the summer. We always recommend pruning the plant in early fall or starting in mid-spring.

How long does an Adenium live?

An Adenium lives for decades. So you do not have to worry that your well-cared-for Adenium will not live long.

How do I care for an Adenium?

An Adenium likes a warm place with plenty of sunlight, a good nutrient medium and also supplemental food. A good nutrient soil can be provided by Florentus Mediterranean Nutrient Soil. This ensures good rooting and provision of the correct nutrient base. We also recommend feeding with 'Ultra Focus', a high quality Mediterranean plant food that provides extra strength and health. This allows the plant to retain its beautiful deep colors.

How do I make sure my Adenium will bloom?

The Adenium will bloom when it is well cared for and has a sunny warm spot.

How long does the Adenium bloom?

The Adenium can begin blooming in winter, and continues all the way through fall. So it is a very long bloomer!

Does the Adenium need to be pruned? How:

Around winter and spring, you can prune the Adenium by taking off the dead parts. Shoots that have grown too long you can also prune back.

Can the Adenium be planted from seed?

Yes, when a fertilized (mature) Adenium gives off seeds, those when harvested fresh can be used to grow new Adeniums.

When can the seeds be harvested from the Adenium?

It takes several years for an Adenium to begin yielding seeds. The older the Adenium, the better the quality of the seeds. To harvest the seeds, we do not recommend picking the seeds off the plant. Instead, it is best to put a bag around the Adenium to catch the seeds as they are released from the plant. This is necessary because otherwise they will fly into the air.

What kind of soil does the Adenium need?

We recommend using soil with an airy structure and provided with basic nutrient elements. For this we recommend Florentus Mediterranean nutrient soil. This contains everything the plant needs except supplemental nutrients.

Why are my Adenium leaves yellow? Why are the leaves falling off?

There can be several causes of the leaves turning yellow or falling off. The main causes are malnutrition, overwatering or underwatering. Check that the root ball is moist but not soaking wet. And if the soil is poor in nutrients or you've never supplemented, we recommend supplementing with Ultra Focus, a complex nutrient for Mediterranean plants.

Why isn't my Adenium blooming?

The main cause for an Adenium not blooming is that the plant is not getting enough light. Make sure it has a sunny spot. Another cause can be that the plant is still recovering from e.g. repotting or pruning, if this has been done.

Where is the best place to buy an Adenium?

To this question we have a very simple answer. Teeninga Palms is a specialist in hardy Mediterranean plants and trees, offering them at the lowest price and the highest quality, so the choice is easy!