Nerium oleander
( NEER - ee - um OH - lee - an - dur )
At-A-Glance Information
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This species of evergreen flowering shrub, commonly called Oleander, needs full sun and little to moderate water. Take care when planting these in your yard, as all parts are poisonous if ingested; do not burn the clippings as the smoke can cause severe lung irritation. These shrubs are native to the Mediterranean and reach 3-20 feet tall and 4-12 feet wide. The larger varieties can be trained into single or multi-trunked small trees. Leaves are dark green and leathery and fragrant flowers bloom profusely in clusters in springtime. Blossoms range in color from yellow, pink, salmon and red.
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nerium oleander Varietals
'Mrs. Roeding'
With double flowers in salmon-pink; reaches 6 feet tall and has smaller leaves and finer textured foliage than the species. |
'Petite Pink'
3-6 feet tall and just as wide. |
'Petite Salmon'
3-6 feet tall and just as wide. |
Caring for and pruning nerium oleander shrubs
Plant Nerium oleander in full sun (at least 6-8 hours of sun per day). They are not picky about soil type, as long as it is well-draining, though sandy or loamy soil is the most ideal. Soil pH should be acidic to neutral (with a pH of between 5.0 and 8.3). Water regularly while these plants are establishing a root system, and once mature, provide deep waterings when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil water retention. Do not overwater; these plants are susceptible to root rot in these conditions. Fertilizing is not required, and over-fertilizing can cause issues in foliage growth outpacing flower production.
Prune in late winter or early springtime. Remove dead or damaged branches, and deadhead spent flowers as they appear to encourage more blooms to pop. Wear gloves when pruning and working with the cuttings from these plants, as these are toxic plants and can cause skin irritation. Do not burn cuttings; the smoke from the fire will cause lung irritation.
Prune in late winter or early springtime. Remove dead or damaged branches, and deadhead spent flowers as they appear to encourage more blooms to pop. Wear gloves when pruning and working with the cuttings from these plants, as these are toxic plants and can cause skin irritation. Do not burn cuttings; the smoke from the fire will cause lung irritation.
Propagation
Nerium oleander can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Nerium oleander by Cutting
Propagating Nerium oleander by Seed
Propagating Nerium oleander by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 10 to 12-inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Old, hardwood does not usually root well. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Nerium oleander by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. They will start to pop out of the seed pods in late summer or fall. Remove the seed pods from the plant, and place them in a paper bag. The pods will continue to open up and spill their seeds. Once they have been released, remove them from the bag and lay them out so you can work with them.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes up to 90 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
The seed pods on these shrubs will turn brown and start to split open when they are ready to be harvested for seeds.
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Nerium oleander seeds have a fluffy attachment that helps them float farther through the air.
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Problems and Pests
These plants are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, though they can suffer from the following common garden ailments:
- Aphids
- Scale Insects
- Spider Mites
Gallery
Plant Oleander along walkways where their flowers can be admired.
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Nerium oleander can be grown either as shrubs or as trees.
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There are many different flower colors to choose from!
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Videos
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Take care when planting these in your garden, as all parts are poisonous.
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All about Oleander.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 455 - 456, Nerium oleander (Oleander)
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