A true beauty in the cactus world, the desert rose, or Adenium obesum, is both beautiful and resilient. Many people want to know, “How do I grow a desert rose from cuttings?” or “Is it hard to start adenium seeds?” because they are so pretty. Growing a desert rose from seed or from cuttings is not hard at all. It simply requires a little knowledge. Lets look at desert rose seed propagation and cutting propagation.
With its striking bulbous trunk and vibrant flowers, the desert rose (Adenium obesum) is one of the most beautiful succulents you can grow Propagating new plants from cuttings is easy and rewarding – allowing you to expand your collection for free! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to grow gorgeous desert roses from cuttings
Native to Africa the desert rose is a unique succulent that develops a swollen base which serves to store water in its arid homeland. The branches resemble a rose bush sprouting delicate leaves and 2-3 inch flowers in shades of red, pink, white or yellow.
Beyond their visual appeal, desert roses are highly resilient plants that require minimal care once established. They thrive indoors and outdoors in warm climates and make a stunning addition to any succulent collection.
While desert roses can be grown from seeds, cuttings are the preferred propagation method. Taking cuttings from an existing plant allows you to replicate its size, shape and flower colors. Plus, cuttings root quickly and begin flowering faster than seed-grown plants.
Now let’s get into the step-by-step process for propagating desert roses through cuttings.
Selecting the Perfect Cuttings
Choosing vigorous, healthy cuttings gives your new plants the best start:
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Take 4-6 inch tip cuttings from established branches. Avoid weak or damaged stems.
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Use a sharp, sterile blade to make a clean cut. Discard the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
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Allow cuttings to dry out for 1-2 days before planting to prevent rotting.
Selecting the right donor plant and cuttings sets your propagation project up for success.
Rooting Your Cuttings in Water
Rooting in water is the easiest propagation method. Here’s how it works:
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Fill a glass or jar with room temperature water. Add a pinch of cinnamon to inhibit rotting.
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Cut the bottom 1/2 inch of the cutting at an angle to expose more surface area for absorbing water.
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Place the angled end in the water so the lower leaves remain above the waterline.
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Locate the jar in bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly to prevent rot.
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Look for roots in 2-6 weeks. Transfer to soil once roots are 1-2 inches long.
Water rooting requires minimal effort and delivers fast results!
Rooting in Soil Medium
You can also root desert rose cuttings directly in a sterile soil mix:
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Use a well-draining mix like perlite, coarse sand, or vermiculite. Moisten the medium before planting.
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Dip the lower half of cuttings in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
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Plant cuttings 2-3 inches deep in small containers filled with soil mix.
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Water sparingly to keep the soil barely moist. Excess water leads to rotting.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Expect roots in 4-8 weeks. Plant in larger pots once rooted.
Soil rooting takes a bit longer but avoids transplant shock.
Caring for Newly Rooted Plants
Once your cuttings have rooted and been moved to pots, they require attentive care:
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Acclimate plants slowly to direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
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Water deeply when the soil dries out, then allow pots to fully drain.
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Fertilize monthly during active growth with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Repot annually in spring, using a cactus/succulent mix. Go up just 1 pot size each time.
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Keep indoors near a sunny window in winter if temperatures drop below 45°F.
With time and optimal care, your newly propagated desert roses will flourish!
Troubleshooting Common Propagation Issues
If your cuttings fail to take root or new plants struggle, here are some likely causes:
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Rotting stems: Excess watering or poor drainage. Allow cuttings and soil to fully dry out between waterings.
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Leaf dropping: Too much direct sun or overwatering. Gradually acclimate to more sun and reduce watering frequency.
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Weak growth: Insufficient light. Relocate to a brighter spot or use a grow light to supplement natural lighting.
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Leggy growth: Inadequate sunlight. Increase sunlight exposure to 8+ hours daily.
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Failure to root: Old, damaged cuttings or incorrect soil temperature. Take fresh tip cuttings and maintain 70-80°F soil temperature.
Enjoying Your Propagated Desert Roses
With proper care, your propagated desert rose plants will flourish, rewarding you with:
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Unique swollen caudex bases as the plants mature
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Gorgeous red, pink, white, or yellow flowers year-round
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Minimal maintenance needs compared to traditional roses
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The satisfaction of growing beautiful plants for free!
Desert Rose Seed Propagation
If you want to start a desert rose plant from seeds, make sure you use new seeds. Fresh desert rose plant seed will have a higher germination rate as well as a faster germination rate. You can buy seeds from a reputable seller or find someone who has a few adult plants (they need two plants to make seeds) and can give you seeds directly from the plants. To start adenium seeds, fill a container with a growing medium that drains well, like perlite or a mix of sand and soil. Place the seed in the growing medium, just covering them with the growing medium. Water from below daily and from above once every three days until the seedlings appear. Put the growing tray or pot on a heating pad and make sure the growing medium stays between 80 and 85 F. (27-29 C. ). Your desert rose plant seeds should germinate in one week if the seeds are fresh. If they are not fresh, it may take longer (if at all). Once the seedlings appear, water only from below. In about a month, the seedlings will be large enough to transplant to a permanent container. If you plant adenium seeds, the seedlings will likely bloom the same year, which is great because the flowers are what make them so pretty.
Desert Rose Cutting Propagation
It is possible to grow desert roses from seeds, but most gardeners have better luck growing them from cuttings. They are easy and quick to grow from cuttings, and you can keep the true nature of hybrid plants because hybrids will go back to their original form if they are grown from seeds. Therefore, you may be wondering, “How do I grow a desert rose from cuttings?”. Take a cutting from the tip of a branch. First, let the cutting dry out for one or two days. Then, wet one end of the desert rose cutting and dip it in rooting hormone. Stick the cutting into a well-draining growing medium like perlite or sand mixed with soil. Water the cutting daily, making sure the water is able to drain out of the soil. Use a spray bottle and mist the cutting daily as well. The cutting should take root in about two to six weeks. Growing a desert rose from seeds or cuttings can be done. With a little patience, you can have your own desert rose plant for your home.
EASY DIY DESERT ROSE PROPAGATIONS! | Adenium obesum Propagations from Cuttings!
How to propagate Desert Rose plant seed?
Let’s look at desert rose seed propagation and cutting propagation. The real trick to desert rose plant seed starting is to make sure that you start out with fresh seeds. Fresh desert rose plant seed will have a higher germination rate as well as a faster germination rate.
Can you grow a desert rose from a cutting?
Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a popular succulent plant known for its beautiful flowers and ability to thrive in dry, arid conditions. Taking a cutting from an existing desert rose plant is a common method of propagation, allowing you to grow new plants from the parent plant.
Can you grow a desert rose from seed?
Growing a desert rose from seed or from cuttings is not hard at all. It simply requires a little knowledge. Let’s look at desert rose seed propagation and cutting propagation. The real trick to desert rose plant seed starting is to make sure that you start out with fresh seeds.
How do you grow a desert rose?
It may take up to 2 months for them to form. Mist the leaves with a spray bottle using water only. The plant will grow roots and new growth will appear. You can upsize the pot or plant it outside. You can buy desert rose seeds from a reputable nursery. Seeds that are fresh propagate best. Fill a pot with sandy potting soil.