How to Grow an Adenium Tree from Adenium Leaves Using Toothpaste as a Rooting Hormone
Growing an Adenium (Desert Rose) from leaves is not the most common method, but with the right technique—and a little help from toothpaste—it can be surprisingly successful. Toothpaste acts as an antibacterial agent and stimulates root formation, helping your leaf cuttings grow faster and healthier. Follow this simple guide to grow your own Adenium tree from just a leaf cutting.
1. Select Healthy Leaves
Choose thick, mature, and healthy leaves from a well-established adenium plant.
Avoid damaged, yellow, or weak leaves—they won’t root well.
2. Prepare the Leaves
Gently twist or cut the leaves from the plant, ensuring the base (the small nub) stays intact.
Place them on a paper towel for a few hours to allow the cut ends to dry slightly.
This helps prevent rot.
3. Apply Toothpaste (Rooting Hormone Substitute)
Use a plain white toothpaste—not gel, whitening, or flavored types.
Dip the cut base of each leaf into a small amount of toothpaste.
This protects the cutting from bacteria and encourages root growth.
4. Prepare the Pot and Soil
Use a small pot with drainage holes.
Fill it with a well-draining mixture:
- 60% succulent or cactus soil
- 20% perlite
- 20% coarse sand
A dry, airy mix helps prevent rot and promotes faster rooting.
5. Plant the Leaf Cuttings
Make tiny holes in the soil and insert each leaf about 1–2 cm deep.
Gently press the soil around the base to secure it.
Keep the leaves upright but not buried too deeply.
6. Water Lightly
Do not soak the soil.
Mist lightly or add a few drops of water—just enough to keep the soil barely moist.
Overwatering will cause the leaves to rot.
7. Give Them the Right Environment
Place the pot in a warm, bright area with indirect sunlight.
Ideal temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F)
Adenium roots faster with heat and airflow.
8. Be Patient—Rooting Takes Time
Roots may take 2–6 weeks to appear.
During this period:
- Do not move the cuttings unnecessarily
- Keep soil lightly moist, never wet
- Avoid direct strong sun
Once roots grow, new tiny buds will emerge at the base.
9. Transplanting the New Seedlings
When each leaf has developed a small caudex (swollen base) and a few leaves, move it to its own small pot.
Use a well-draining succulent mix and water sparingly.
10. Ongoing Care
To help your young Adenium thrive:
- Provide 5–6 hours of bright light
- Water only when soil is completely dry
- Fertilize monthly with diluted succulent fertilizer
- Avoid cold temperatures
With time, your small leaf cutting will grow into a miniature Desert Rose tree.
Final Tip
Adenium loves “tough love.”
The less you water and the more sun it receives, the faster it develops a thick, beautiful caudex—the iconic swollen trunk that makes this plant so unique.
✨ With this simple toothpaste method, you can turn a single leaf into a thriving Desert Rose that will eventually bloom with stunning flowers.