Adenium Obesum 14cm Plants GrowTropicals
Adenium Obesum — 6cm
Desert Rose

Adenium Obesum

£5.99
Hard to killSun-lover
Pot size

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Desert Mix | Premium Cacti & Succulent Potting Mix
The perfect soil Desert Mix | Premium Cacti & Succulent Potting Mix · 2.5L · £4.99
Description

art succulent, part bonsai, part flowering shrub. Adenium obesum, the Desert Rose, develops a thick, swollen caudex (trunk base) that stores water and gives the plant a sculptural, bottle-shaped silhouette. From this caudex grow woody branches topped with clusters of glossy, dark green leaves and, in the right conditions, flushes of vivid trumpet-shaped flowers. It is a slow grower that becomes increasingly characterful with age, the caudex thickening and gnarling into a shape that is entirely its own.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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How to care for Desert Rose

Give me your sunniest windowsill and let my soil dry right out before watering me again.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Desert Rose

Adenium Obesum is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright direct light, watering only once the compost has dried right through, average household humidity and a minimum temperature of 13°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.

Good for

Bedroom Office Hallway

Care level

EasyChallenge

Easy care

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, direct sun

Give this plant as much bright light as possible, but avoid harsh direct sun for long periods. A south-facing window can be too intense, especially in summer, so place the plant about 1 metre back from the glass or filter the light with a sheer curtain. Sudden or prolonged direct sun through glass can cause scorching. If natural light is limited, a grow light is a great way to keep growth compact and healthy. Read moreShow less

Give this plant as much bright light as possible, but avoid harsh direct sun for long periods. A south-facing window can be too intense, especially in summer, so place the plant about 1 metre back from the glass or filter the light with a sheer curtain. Sudden or prolonged direct sun through glass can cause scorching. If natural light is limited, a grow light is a great way to keep growth compact and healthy.

Learn more →

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Let it dry out fully between waterings

Water deeply until excess runs through the drainage holes, then allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. This plant stores water in its tissues, so it is highly drought-tolerant and far more sensitive to overwatering than underwatering. Always check the soil rather than watering on a schedule and when in doubt, wait a bit longer. Read moreShow less

Water deeply until excess runs through the drainage holes, then allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. This plant stores water in its tissues, so it is highly drought-tolerant and far more sensitive to overwatering than underwatering. Always check the soil rather than watering on a schedule and when in doubt, wait a bit longer.

Learn more →

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Happy at normal household humidity

Normal household humidity is perfect. Cacti and succulents are adapted to arid environments and don’t require additional humidity. In fact, extra humidity can increase the risk of rot and fungal issues. Good airflow is much more important than moisture in the air, so aim to keep the plant in a well-ventilated space rather than trying to humidify it. Read moreShow less

Normal household humidity is perfect. Cacti and succulents are adapted to arid environments and don’t require additional humidity. In fact, extra humidity can increase the risk of rot and fungal issues. Good airflow is much more important than moisture in the air, so aim to keep the plant in a well-ventilated space rather than trying to humidify it.

Temperature

Keep above 13°C · Happy at normal room temperature

This plant prefers warm temperatures during the growing season, ideally between 18–30°C. They also benefit from a cooler winter rest period of around 10–15°C, which helps support healthy growth cycles and encourages flowering in many species. Read moreShow less

This plant prefers warm temperatures during the growing season, ideally between 18–30°C. They also benefit from a cooler winter rest period of around 10–15°C, which helps support healthy growth cycles and encourages flowering in many species.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Soil & Substrate

Our Desert Mix provides the sharp drainage this species demands.

Growth habit

Upright →Tree-form →

Plant type

Succulent →

Toxicity

Harmful if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and wash your hands after pruning.

Origins

Native to the arid regions of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Adenium obesum grows in dry, rocky terrain with intense heat and seasonal drought. It is well adapted to bright, sunny, low-humidity conditions.

Also known as

Adenium Obesum

Genus

Adenium →
More on caring for houseplants How often should I water my houseplant? Your Complete Guide to Grow Lights – With Grow Gang!
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

Customers praised this Desert Rose as "healthy," "cute," and "well packaged." Most shoppers loved watching their plants grow, with one noting "loads of new buds already." Some concerns: plants occasionally arrived loose from soil, and a few customers requested care guides to prevent issues like rot. One reviewer noted size expectations versus reality, though overall satisfaction remained high.

  • Really well packed; nice and healthy: incredibly CUTE 'mini tree'.
  • It was in immaculate condition and well packed 10/10
  • Looks amazing even as a baby plant. For a starter plant worth every Penny.
  • 5 stars: 39 (93%)
  • 4 stars: 2 (5%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (2%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
S
Sam S.
Brilliant little Desert Rose

Really well packed; nice and healthy: incredibly CUTE 'mini tree'.
Would definitely recommend :blush::u1FAB4:

Sam S. review photo Sam S. review photo
T
Tom B.
Brilliant

Perfect little plant, it’s going to look lovely as a ‘bonsai’ :) arrived in excellent condition, I can’t rate these guys high enough on their service, quality and support.

Tom B. review photo
P
Philip A.
Healthy little desert rose

Nice healthy little plant. Seems to have settled into my place now, a few tiny little new leaves dropped at first, but it’s looking happy pushing out new growth again. I reckon I’ve got at least 2 years before it flowers. Maybe I should have got a bigger one. :joy:

Philip A. review photo Philip A. review photo
R
Roger M.
Desert Rose

Excellent condition and looks great well done asual

Roger M. review photo
B
Beverley S.
A lovely little desert rose

A lovely little desert rose no damage came well package very pleased with the service from grow tropical

Beverley S. review photo
F
Faye M.
Very cute little plant, like

Very cute little plant, like a mini tree. I'm looking forward to seeing how it grows. Apparently toxic to cats which I read about afterwards, I'm not sure if that's listed on the website or not. So it's had to be kept out the way.

Faye M. review photo
C
Caroline M.
Desert rose

I recently ordered another great quality healthy plant I can't wait to see it grow very happy with all my plants I've received can't rate this online shopping experience enough would highly recommend to anyone thinking of getting plants

Caroline M. review photo
V
Vicky F.
A perfect little plant!

A perfect little plant!

Vicky F. review photo
C
Chloe
Fab !

Really lovely plant and packaged so well!

Chloe review photo
J
John H.
Arrived beautifully packed and now

Arrived beautifully packed and now looks lovely on kitchen window ledge.

John H. review photo
M
MARION J.
My Adenium Obesum / Desert

My Adenium Obesum / Desert Rose arrived very quickly after ordering and was packaged very securely and undamaged. It is now planted and in situ and the first new leaves are appearing already. I would definitely recommend this company and will probably order something again, I have my eye on the Baobab! Thank you.

MARION J. review photo
T
Thomas L.
Lovely plant

This little plant is doing well. Looking forward to seeing it grow.

S
Simona S.
:heart_eyes::heart_eyes::heart_eyes:

Healthy beautiful plant

D
Denise R.
Lovely plant and pot.

I love this plant. One problem was it fell out of soil. I put it straight into a bigger pot.

L
Lucifer m.
“Desert Rose”

Looks amazing can already wonder what it will be when it’s older! Following the care guide the website closely. Looks amazing even as a baby plant. Makes me think of prehistoric plants or the similar trees in Africa. For a starter plant worth every Penny. Great quality and cute leaves.

G
G.L.

Perfection all the way!!!

M
Mr

Perfection all the way!!!

S
Susan H.
Sad desert rose

Arrived out of pot and looking a bit droopy. I’ve potted it and some leaves have died

L
Louise M.
Desert rose

Cute little plant

E
Eva

The product was packed very well and the plant looked happy when it arrived. However, I would suggest including a care guide for the more ‘temperamental’ plants. I repotted after a week of letting it settle in, following best practice for Adeniums, but it started developing rot. I was told that this is normal and I voided my returns by doing so. The customer service were very helpful and agreed that some sort of care guide stating not to pot on for a couple of months should’ve been included and gave me full store credit. Happily resolved!

E
Eva

The product was packed very well and the plant looked happy when it arrived. However, I would suggest including a care guide for the more ‘temperamental’ plants. I repotted after a week of letting it settle in, following best practice for Adeniums, but it started developing rot. I was told that this is normal and I voided my returns by doing so. The customer service were very helpful and agreed that some sort of care guide stating not to pot on for a couple of months should’ve been included and gave me full store credit. Happily resolved!

R
Rosemary B.
Little plant

Thrilled with my plant, and shall enjoy nurturing it!

K
Kirsten H.
Adenium Obesum

I am so happy with my new plant. It arrived quickly, safely and cleanly packaged and arrived looking really healthy. I can’t wait to see it grow.

M
Maha H.
the packaging was perfect

the packaging was perfect

R
Ros F.
Adenium Obesum

Very pleased with this plant. It arrived in great condition, very healthy.

J
Jenny T.
Plant growing beautifully

Loads of new buds already

J
Jethro T.
great

great

L
Linda W.
Cute healthy little plants and

Cute healthy little plants and delivered with no damage.

R
Rasa P.
Desert rose

Thank You for small plant.

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