The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

Oleander

Nerium oleander

NEER-ee-um OH-lee-an-der Audio
Oleander

Oleander is a tall, upright to spreading shrub with lance-shaped, deep green to grayish green leaves. Clusteres of up to 80 pink, red, or white flowers appear in summer. Numerous cultivars are available, varying in bloom color, fragrance, and size, as well as shrub size and leaf variegation.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsAll parts are highly toxic if ingested.

CareGrows best in full sun to partial shade and tolerates heavy clay soils. Water well throughout the growing season and as winter approaches. Root-hardy through Zone 6, possibly Zone 5. Mulch heavily (6 to 8 inches deep) in late fall or early winter with deciduous leaves to protect roots and lower stems.

PropagationFrom semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

ProblemsScale insects, spider mites, caterpillars, aphids, bacterial knot (gall), and dieback

  • Genus : Nerium
  • Plant Height : 10 to 15 feet
  • Zones : 11
  • Plant Width : 6 to 10 feet
  • Uses : Containers
  • Characteristics : Fragrant Flowers
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Moisture : Medium Moisture
  • Flower Color : Pink, Red, White
  • Plant Type : Shrubs
  • Bloom Time : Summer
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest

Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.

Start Free Trial

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide