Oleander Plant Care

Oleander (Nerium oleander) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Nerium genus. Oleander is native to Mediterranean region, Africa, southern Europe, South East Asia. Oleander is also known as Rose Bay, Rose Laurel, Rosebay.

Oleander displays an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Oleander produces showy, five-petaled, funnel-shaped bloom that comes in various colors, such as pink, white, red, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Oleander every 7–14 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.

Oleander thrives in full sun.

Nerium oleander tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Oleander prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Oleander to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Oleander every month 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 and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Oleander is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 11b.

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.

Oleander can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 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.

Oleander is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Oleander can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds.

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

Oleander is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Oleander grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Oleander is native to Mediterranean region, Africa, southern Europe, South East Asia.