Adenium

Adenium obesum. Grown as much for the caudex — the swollen base — as for the flowers. Age shows in the trunk, so an older plant is a different object entirely.

Care

• Light — full sun, the more the better
• Water — sparingly, and almost none through the cool months when it rests
• Soil — sharply draining, more grit than compost
• Watch for — a soft base, which is rot and is not recoverable

Supplied at 30–40 cm with a formed caudex in an 8 inch pot. Sap is toxic; keep away from children and pets.