Like their close relatives the Pachypodiums, Adeniums belong to the large botanical family Apocynaceae. Outwardly there is less differentiation between the individual species than there is with Pachypodium and this has led to controversy as to how many species actually exist. Some taxonomists regard most plants as varieties of the single species A. obesum while just as many give species rank to the 8-10 distinct types.

The debate over classification is of little concern to the many growers now cultivating Adeniums. Their fantastic floral display and large inflated pachycaul trunks have made them wildly popular in succulent collections. If you like Pachypodiums, you'll love Adeniums.

What Do I Need To Grow Them?

Adeniums are easy to grow and very robust. Cultivation is exactly the same as for Pachypodium. You should ascertain that you buy only plants grown from seed as propagations made from cuttings will not form a typical specimen.

Given proper conditions, many Adeniums will flower for six months or more during the year. This super floral frenzy makes hybridization very easy and many hybrids based on flower color and form now dot the succulent landscape. At Highland we have held our production to the recognized species and varieties only. There is enough natural variation in the genus to keep us busy making well-grown plants.

Adenium somalense - leaf detail

Adenium multiflorum

We have developed special growing techniques to produce short, compact, natural looking plants such as this pair of 2 year old obesum. No tall, thin, etiolated plants here!