Caudex Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular caudex plants with care guides, traits, and root management tips.
Featured Caudex Plant
Showing 5 of 141 species
© Siamadenium / Public domainAdenium Arabicum
Adenium arabicum
An Adenium with wide spreading caudex, more caudex-focused than obesum, popular with collectors.
© Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 3.0Adenium Multiflorum
Adenium multiflorum
From South Africa, blooming many red-white flowers in winter, called Impala Lily.
© Michael Wolf (Webseite) / CC BY-SA 3.0Adenium obesum subsp. somalense
Adenium obesum subsp. somalense
An Adenium recognised by its broad-based, conical caudex and narrow leaves with white veins. Flowers are smaller than those of A. obesum, under 5 cm across, with narrow pointed petals and red nectar guides.
Adenium Socotranum
Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum
From Socotra Island, growing into massive bottle trees several meters wide in habitat.
Adenium Thai Socotranum
Thai-bred Socotranum-type Adenium with thick round caudex and diverse flower colors.
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Caudex Plant FAQ
- How much do caudex plants cost?
- Pachypodium gracilius seedlings cost 2,000-10,000 yen, wild-collected specimens 30,000-200,000+ yen, and Operculicarya pachypus can reach hundreds of thousands of yen.
- Can beginners grow caudex plants?
- Adenium (Desert Rose) and Pachypodium seedlings are relatively easy and beginner-friendly. Just be careful with watering during winter dormancy, and you can enjoy them for years.
- How long do caudex plants live?
- Some specimens live for hundreds of years in the wild. In cultivation, they can thrive for decades with proper care. Watching the caudex thicken year by year is the greatest appeal.
- What should I check when buying caudex plants?
- Whether it's rooted is the most important point. Wild-collected imports are often unrooted and require root establishment. Beginners should start with rooted domestically grown seedlings.
- How do caudex plants overwinter?
- Many caudex plants go dormant in winter. Reduce watering from October, and withhold water completely from December to February. Keep indoors in a sunny spot at minimum 10°C.