Oleander
Nerium oleander · Apocynaceae
📷 Alvesgaspar · CC BY 2.5
⚠️ Feuilles et fleurs très toxiques par ingestion chez tous. Chiens/chats risquent troubles cardiaques et digestifs graves; enfants urgence.
The gardener's calendar
Oleander is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Nerium oleander
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Mature height
- 2.5 to 3 m
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to September
- Hardiness
- Moderate (−5 to 0 °C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin and South Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Oleander fears excess water more than drought. In pots, water sparingly and let it dry out between waterings.
The common mistake
Overgrowth of foliage and underwhelming blooms: caused by overly fertile soil or excessive watering.
The pro's trick
Mix coarse sand into the planting hole if your soil retains too much water.
Care
Light Exposure
Oleander demands full sun exposure to produce abundant and colorful flowering. It tolerates slightly shaded locations, but flowering will be less generous. Place it in a warm, bright spot, ideally against a south-facing wall.
Watering
During the growing season (spring and summer), water regularly without letting the soil dry out completely between waterings. In autumn and winter, reduce watering considerably. Avoid waterlogging, which can promote root rot.
Soil and Drainage
Oleander prefers well-drained soil, even if chalky or slightly poor. A light mixture combining potting soil and coarse sand works perfectly. Make sure water never pools at the base of the plant.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead or damaged branches in late winter. Pinch back young shoots in spring to encourage branching.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer once or twice a month from May to September during the active growing period. Reduce or stop feeding in autumn and winter to allow the plant to rest.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for scale insects and spider mites indoors or in greenhouses. Powdery mildew can occur in humid, poorly ventilated conditions. Ensure good air circulation and intervene quickly if an infestation occurs.
Did you know?
Oleander is a plant steeped in history: present in Mediterranean gardens since antiquity, it was renowned for its ability to bloom in the most arid and inhospitable places. In Provence, it's also called 'snapdragon' because of the distinctive shape of its flowers. Be aware, however: all parts of the plant contain toxic compounds and must be handled with care.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Lesser periwinkleVinca minor
- Greater periwinkleVinca major
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- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
- NosegaytreePlumeria alba
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.