Explore our variety of adenium plants below. From the thick caudex of the popular Adenium arabicum to the thin caudex of Adenium obesum, these adenium succulents are known for their striking bonsai-like appearance. Despite its desert origins, it can be cultivated in a variety of climates, making it a popular choice among desert rose enthusiasts worldwide. At the bottom of the page and in our detailed article, you can learn key facts and how to care for desert rose plants Showing 14 results for “Adenium – Types of Desert Rose Plants” Sort Sale Sold Out Sold Out Sale Sold Out Sold Out
Adeniums are a genus of beautiful flowering plants that have recently surged in popularity. With their colorful flowers and thick sculpted trunks it’s easy to see why adeniums make such striking container plants.
I’ve been growing adeniums for years and love their unique appearance But one question I’m often asked is how many different adenium varieties are there?
This seems like a simple question, but the answer is more complex than you might think. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the classification and naming of adeniums to try to pin down the number of existing varieties.
A Contested Genus
The genus Adenium is part of the Apocynaceae or dogbane family. It was first described scientifically in 1819. Adeniums are native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Originally, botanists recognized around 12 separate adenium species. However, more recent classifications have consolidated these into just 5 accepted species
- Adenium obesum
- Adenium boehmianum
- Adenium multiflorum
- Adenium oleifolium
- Adenium swazicum
Some of the original 12 species names are now considered synonyms of A. obesum. Others have been reclassified as subspecies or varieties within the 5 main species.
So why the shifting classifications? It comes down to inconsistent definitions of what constitutes a distinct adenium “species”. Many kinds of plants can hybridize and create intermediate forms that blur the lines between species. Adeniums readily hybridize, making species hard to pin down.
A Proliferation of Hybrids
To make things even more complicated, there are countless named adenium hybrids and cultivars. Nurseries and collectors have bred adeniums extensively to develop new colors shapes and growth forms.
Some of the most popular hybrid groups include:
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Obesum hybrids – Derived from Adenium obesum, these hybrids come in a rainbow of colors. Popular varieties include ‘Jodi’, ‘Mai Thai’, and ‘Tiki’.
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Arabicum hybrids – Bred for cold hardiness and often having slim, tapering trunks. ‘Arabian Night’ is a famous example.
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Multiflorum hybrids – Known for prolific flowering. Varieties like ‘Blood Red’ and ‘Crimson Star’ fall into this group.
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Boehmianum hybrids – Adding genes from A. boehmianum confers some drought and cold tolerance. For example, ‘Sangria’ and ‘Maui Sunset’.
As you can see, the number of named adenium varieties numbers in the hundreds, if not thousands! New cultivars are still being actively developed today.
So How Many Varieties Are There?
Given the complex taxonomy and extensive hybridization of adeniums, there’s no definitive answer to the total number of varieties in existence.
Based on the 5 accepted species, there are likely only around 5 naturally occurring, “true” adenium varieties in the wild. However, the proliferation of man-made hybrids and cultivars has exploded the number of unique, named varieties into the hundreds or more.
From a collector’s perspective, the possibilities can seem endless! While the classifications continue to evolve, we can say for sure that adeniums encompass an incredibly diverse palette of colors, shapes, and growing habits – more than enough to satisfy any plant lover.
As you search for new adeniums, don’t get too hung up on species names or counts. Focus instead on finding eye-catching plants that fit your climate and growing conditions. With some basic care, these succulent-like desert roses will thrive and reward you with unique, tropical flowers year after year.
Adenium Plants Key Features:
- The leaves of the Adenium plant are thick and fleshy, helping them retain water in arid conditions. They come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from oval to lanceolate, and can be glossy or matte in texture. Some varieties even have eye-catching variegation patterns on their leaves, adding to their visual appeal.
- The flowers of the Adenium plant are popular because of their unique, trumpet-like shape with overlapping petals, creating a stunning display; and they come in various colors like pink, red, white, and yellow. Additionally, they have a rose in their name, but these are desert plants, not roses.
- To propagat Adenium plant, can simply be done through stem cuttings and seed germination. These are popular methods for propagating Adenium, which require patience and care but can be rewarding when successful. Seeds can be collected from mature pods.
- Adenium desert rose succulents are known for their drought-resistant properties due to their ability to store water in their stems and leaves, making them resilient and low-maintenance.
- Adenium plants can be trained into bonsai forms, with Adenium arabicum being the most popular and Adenium obesum plant. Their substantial trunks and distinctive growth patterns are ideal for bonsai development.
Stunning Varieties of Adenium | Types of Desert Rose
FAQ
How many species of desert rose are there?
The genus Adenium has been held to contain as many as twelve species. These are considered by other authors to be subspecies or varieties. A late-20th-century classification by Plazier recognizes five species.
What is the rarest desert rose?
Adenium socotranum is one of the more rare varieties of ‘Desert Rose’. A native of Socotra island in the Indian ocean, this plant belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Its bulbous-shaped truck and twiggy branches make it identifiable.
What is the difference between Adenium Multiflorum and Obesum?
obesum, this species has an obligatory long winter dormancy. Regardless of growing conditions, the leaves fall in autumn; growth will not resume for at least four months, longer in cool or dry conditions. Adenium multiflorum flowers profusely for two to four months in winter while leafless, never at other times.