Greetings from the world of plants. We, the Desert Roses (Adenium obesum), are not true roses but proud succulents, shaped by the harsh, sun-drenched landscapes of Africa and Arabia. Our greatest pride is our caudex—that swollen, sculptural trunk that stores precious water, allowing us to thrive where others perish. To understand our watering needs indoors in the US, you must first understand our very nature.
Our entire being is engineered for a cycle of abundance followed by drought. In our native habitat, a rare downpour thoroughly soaks our roots, and we drink deeply, storing water in our caudex. Then, the intense sun and heat quickly dry the soil for an extended period. This cycle is what we crave. Watering us too frequently is the single greatest threat to our health, as it suffocates our roots and leads to fatal root rot. Our pot must never feel perpetually damp.
You must resist the urge to water us on a fixed schedule (e.g., "every Tuesday"). The need for water is dictated by the environment, which changes with the seasons. The only reliable method is to physically check the soil moisture. Insert your finger or a wooden skewer about 2 inches deep into the potting mix. If you feel any moisture or soil sticks to the skewer, we do not need water. Water us only when the soil is completely dry at that depth.
Our growth and dormancy cycles are intrinsically tied to light and temperature, and our watering must follow suit.
During Spring and Summer, our active growing season, we are pushing out new leaves and spectacular flowers. With more hours of intense sunlight and warmer temperatures, the soil dries out much faster. During this time, you will likely need to water us more often, perhaps every 5 to 7 days, but always confirm the soil is dry first. We welcome a deep, thorough soaking until water runs freely from the drainage holes.
During Fall and Winter, we enter a crucial period of dormancy. The days are shorter, the light is weaker, and our growth slows or stops completely. Our water requirements plummet dramatically. You must allow the soil to dry out completely and then wait even longer—sometimes for several weeks or even over a month between waterings. The goal is to give us just enough water to prevent our caudex from shriveling excessively. Overwatering during dormancy is a death sentence.
Your local climate within the US and your home's conditions play a significant role. A plant in a dry, sunny Arizona window will dry out faster than one in a humid, cooler Pacific Northwest home. The size and material of our pot (terra cotta breathes and dries faster than plastic) and the composition of our soil (it must be extremely well-draining, with plenty of perlite or pumice) are also critical factors that influence the drying rate.
