Although more and more people are becoming aware of the Adenium and its floriferous properties, it is still relative unknown to the man in the street and very few are seen in South African gardens.

Magnificent flower forms and colours, a long flowering period (2-3months) and ease of cultivation make it well worth keeping Adeniums in the house and garden. Because of their frost hardiness and the ability of certain species or hybrids to flower with no watering beyond the annual rainfall, these are very low maintenance plants.

Adeniums can be used to very good effect for a spot of colour in the garden or in pots as a focus plants. Their dramatic impact also makes them an ideal gift.

The various Adenium species are all special in their own way and their characteristics reflect the areas they come from.

A.oleifolium from the Northern Cape and A.boehmianum from Namibia are both drought and frost hardy.

A.swazicum and A.obesum ssp.multiflorum are from the warmer frost free Eastern parts of the country.

A.obesum from Kenya and A.somalensis, A.crispum and A.arabicum from the horn of Africa are all climatically related.

A.soccotranum is difficult to grow.

Adeniums flower best in a sunny position where they get almost full sun.

Frost sensitive Adeniums should be grown in a frost free hot spot in the garden or kept in pots so that they can be moved to more sheltered locations when necessary.

Some Adeniums like A.boehmianum and A.obesum ssp.multiflorum do flower very well without any attention, if planted in the garden where the roots have a chance to spread.

Soil
Adeniums prefer a well drained, neutral to alkaline soil with compost, superphosphate and potassium worked in. They are heavy feeders and plant food high in potassium, in liquid or crumbly form, should be applied throughout the growing season.


Water
Plants in pots should be watered once a week, even twice a week if it is very hot, except in May to August (even if the bulb shrinks!) when they are dormant and cannot tolerate wet and cold soil conditions. Plants established in beds can easily survive with nothing more than rain water.


Pests
Although quite resistant to pests and diseases, Adeniums can be attacked by red spider mite, woolly aphids and scale insects. Most nurseries have remedies for these pests.


Transplanting
Should you wish to transplant your Adenium, leave the plant without soil in a shady dry place for three to four weeks or even longer before relocation. This is to ensure that any damaged roots have healed and sealed before replanting.

At Flora Africa we specialise in cultivating plants that are ideally adapted to South African conditions and have beautiful shapes and a long flowering season. The years required for their cultivation add character to the plants.

Below are examples of the plants we have. Scroll the mouse over the images to see the full size plants.

Please note that as the seasons change, the number of plants and species available for sale may vary. Please email a request for an up to date plant list if you are interested in buying.

Adeniums, better known as Impala Lilies, are truly African plants much sought after plant collectors in other countries.