Oleander
Tough in the Mediterranean, borderline in Britain: outdoors only in mild coastal or city gardens against a warm wall. Every part is poisonous — keep it away from children and pets.
Care
Full sun and heat; in shade it flowers poorly.
Medium — drought-tolerant in the ground once established, but in pots needs generous water in summer for good flowering; little in winter.
Any well-drained soil, including poor, chalky and salty coastal soils.
Prune after flowering or in late winter: remove a third of the oldest stems at the base and shorten the rest. Don't remove the short spurs where last year's flowers were — they carry the next buds. All parts are highly toxic: wear gloves and never burn the prunings.
A balanced or high-potash feed every two weeks in pots from spring to late summer; in the ground rarely needed.
Semi-ripe cuttings root easily in summer, even in a jar of water.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchThin out old stems and shape before growth starts. how ›
- JulyWater pots generously in hot weather. how ›
- JulyCheck stems and undersides of leaves for scale insects and aphids.
- NovemberIn cold areas move pots into a cool, bright, frost-free place. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchThin out old stems and shape before growth starts. how ›
- JulyWater pots generously in hot weather. how ›
- JulyCheck stems and undersides of leaves for scale insects and aphids.
- NovemberIn cold areas move pots into a cool, bright, frost-free place. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Brown or white bumps on stems and leaves, sticky honeydew and black sooty mould.
What to do. Scrape or wipe off; the most common problem on oleander.
How to spot it. Bright yellow aphids on shoot tips.
What to do. Wash off or squash; encourage predators.
How to spot it. Buds fall in cool, dull summers.
What to do. Not enough heat and sun; nothing to do except give it the sunniest spot.
Questions
Oleander: is it hardy?
H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — the usual way in cooler climates, so it can be sheltered in winter.
Oleander: when do you prune it?
Prune after flowering or in late winter: remove a third of the oldest stems at the base and shorten the rest. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March.
Oleander: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–October.
When do you feed it?
A balanced or high-potash feed every two weeks in pots from spring to late summer; in the ground rarely needed. Feeding months, UK: April–August.