Yellow Oleander Plant Care

Yellow Oleander (Cascabela thevetia) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Cascabela genus. Yellow Oleander is also known as Be-still Tree, Lucky Nut Tree, Thevetia.

Yellow Oleander displays a small tree, shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Yellow Oleander produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yellow Oleander every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Yellow Oleander thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cascabela thevetia tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Yellow Oleander prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Yellow Oleander to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Yellow Oleander every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yellow Oleander is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Yellow Oleander can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Yellow Oleander while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Yellow Oleander is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Yellow Oleander can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Yellow Oleander is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Yellow Oleander grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Yellow Oleander as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.