Desert Rose (Adenium) Root Rot Risk: Dry the Caudex Cut, Use Sandy Soil

Your newly potted adenium has a softening, tan caudex with a small cut. The white interior is good—no rot yet. But the cut must dry before watering.

Immediate Steps

1. Keep cut dry. Don’t wet caudex.
2. Mix sand + potting soil + perlite. Repot once cut calluses.
3. Water when soil feels dry. Never leave water in tray.
4. January: stop watering 8 weeks (dormancy). March: resume + fertilize well.

Follow-Up

If cut is above soil, just avoid wetting it. Add sand atop soil—it washes down with watering. No drain tray water = safe line.

Beauty Tip

Each repot, lift caudex 1 inch higher to reveal its sculptural form. That’s the adenium’s glory.

Careful watering + sun + winter rest = spectacular blooms.