Oleander: expert tips on planting, pruning, overwintering, etc.

Oleander adds Mediterranean flair to any garden. Let us show you what to consider when planting, caring for and overwintering oleander.

The sight of the oleander’s (Nerium oleander) pink flowers is enough to make anyone literally feel the summer warmth on their skin. This Mediterranean plant is a beautiful ornamental shrub that brings warmth and Mediterranean flair to your home.

The resilience of the oleander has afforded it a title as the flower of the city of Hiroshima. The citizens of the Japanese city destroyed by an American atomic bomb in World War II chose the evergreen shrub as their symbol of hope. This honour was given to the oleander, since it was the first plant that began to bloom again following the attack. For 75 years, the soil was thought to be too contaminated for plant life, but just one year following the attack, the pink blossoms brought courage and hope to the city, which was completely in ruins.

Oleander: origin and properties

The flowers of the wild oleander shone in Mediterranean regions from the Age of Christ. These pink flowering bushes colonised the wet river valleys and floodplains of the otherwise barren landscape. Today, however, they are rarely found there. Increasing urbanisation and restructuring of the landscape have pushed the oleander back. However, it can often be found in gardens and on terraces, where people bring its Mediterranean flair into their homes. Cross-breeding with oleander bushes from Asia resulted in wonderful cultivars, the variety of which is now immense. Oleander varieties range from evergreen shrubs to compact trees, but they are not really hardy.

Oleander varieties

Although oleander is a single species, there are countless varieties and cultivars. They differ from each other mainly in their flowers. Thus, there are varieties with single or double, monochrome or mottled flowers. The colour spectrum ranges from white to pale yellow and from pale pink to deep red. Its growth forms and winter hardiness also vary slightly. Thus, some varieties grow as a dwarf shrub, while others can develop into veritable trees. The original, wild form of oleander, as it occurs naturally in the Mediterranean region, blooms into pink flowers and has no smell. The great diversity of over 160 varieties only arose through crossbreeding with Asian oleanders.

Planting oleander

The right location for the oleander should be warm and sunny. It also likes to be protected from wind and heavy rain, for example by being placed next to a wall.

Planting is best done in early spring, before the oleander really starts growing. When planting and repotting, you should ensure nutrient-rich yet water-permeable soil. The optimal pH here is between 6 and 7. Our peat-free Plantura Organic Flower Compost, for example, is a good choice for your oleander. We have summarised the most important things about planting oleander for you, here.

Organic Flower Compost, 40L

(5/5)

• Perfect for all flowering plants in garden beds & pots
• For beautiful blossoms & healthy plant growth
• Peat-free & organic soil: CO₂-saving composition

£16.99

Shop now!

Propagating oleander

Propagating oleander is very simple. You can easily grow new plants from cuttings, and it is even possible to grow from seed without any problems. However, in this case, it will take a while before your seeded oleander begins to bloom.

Caring for oleander

Oleander is definitely a low-maintenance plant. The most important point to remember when caring for oleander is that it should always have enough water and sufficient fertiliser in the summer. In winter, it is better to bring it inside, however, it can remain outside for a relatively long time, as it can survive up to -5 ° C without frost damage.

Watering

You can forget everything that usually has to be considered when watering other plants. Oleander likes calcareous water – so the harder, the better. Due to its natural habitat in river floodplains, it also has no problem with getting wet feet, quite unlike many other species. On the contrary – it even prefers it. Oleander should only be watered sparingly in winter . Generally, the cooler the winter temperature, the less it needs to be watered.

Pruning oleander

The robust oleander is very tolerant of pruning and generally has no problem with more vigorous pruning. You can prune it either in late autumn or early spring, and if you prune regularly, you can prune it again and again during the summer. However, you should always wear gloves when doing so, as the plant sap can because skin irritation. . Our tips and tricks, plus everything else to consider when pruning oleander can be found here.

Fertilising

Quite a few nutrients accumulate in the flood plains where the oleander naturally occurs. It is no wonder, then, that oleander is a heavy feeder and requires a lot of nutrients. So you should fertilise your plant at regular intervals, starting in the spring. Opt for a slow-release fertiliser like our Plantura Flower Food. However, the fertilising season is over by the end of August at the latest, because the oleander needs enough time to overwinter its young shoots.

Flower Food, 1.5kg

• Perfect for flowering plants in the garden & on the balcony
• For healthier plants with beautiful & long-lasting blossoms
• Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly

£9.99

Shop now!

Overwintering

Generally, oleander is not winter hardy. It can, theoretically, only survive outdoors in mild regions with the right protection. However, frost up to -5 °C and even short-term snow will not harm the oleander, which is why it can spend most of the year outside. You should only bring the plant indoors or into its winter location in the winter months between the end of November and March.

Common diseases

Although the oleander is strong and hardy, it can still be affected by some diseases. Particularly common diseases include Oleander knot, dry rot or even fire blight in extreme cases. In these cases, rigorous pruning of the infested parts of the plant usually helps. However, you should definitely pay attention to the cleanliness of your pruning tools.

Grey mould and sooty mildew can also occur, but are easily controlled and not too problematic.

Oleander: common pests

The most common oleander pests are aphids, scale insects and mealybugs. They can usually be effectively controlled by rinsing with a hard stream of water and then spraying the plant with a mixture of water and soft soap. Spider mites are mainly a consequence of insufficient humidity. Spraying the plants with water in their dry winter location can have a preventative effect here.

Is oleander poisonous?

Let us start with the bad news: all parts of the plant are poisonous. But as the saying goes, the dose makes the poison. Nevertheless, you should ensure that the oleander cannot be nibbled by children or pets. You can learn what makes the oleander poisonous, how to proceed in case of poisoning and how the oleander is used, here.

Oleander is not blooming: what to do about

The main reasons why an oleander fails to bloom are usually the wrong location, overfertilisation or a mistake in pruning.