Oleander / Rose Bay
Nerium oleander
description
Oleander is a heat-tolerant flowering shrub for sunny terraces and warm gardens.
benefits
- Suitable for containers
warnings
- Toxic to cats
- Toxic to dogs
How to care for Oleander
sunlight
Oleander grows on hot, open Mediterranean slopes and dry streambeds, so give it the sunniest spot you have. Full sun keeps growth compact and supports the best flowering.
Full sun
Place outdoors where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sun daily, ideally more. A south or west-facing terrace is ideal. It can grow in bright indoor light, but usually flowers poorly unless placed right at a very sunny window.
watering
Water oleander deeply, then let the surface of the compost dry before watering again. It is thirsty in heat and bloom, but its roots still need a freely draining potting mix.
Spring and summer
Check about every 1-3 days in a pot, and water thoroughly when the top 2-3 cm feels dry. A large plant in full sun may need water daily during hot, windy weather. Let excess water drain away.
Autumn and winter
As growth slows, water roughly every 7-14 days, only after the upper third of the compost has dried. Cool temperatures, shade and a dormant plant all slow drying, while terracotta pots and warm indoor conditions dry faster.
humidity
Humidity
Oleander comes from sunny Mediterranean regions and handles ordinary dry household air well. Around 40-50% is ideal, but it does not need tropical humidity.
Very dry air may show as crisp leaf edges, increased leaf drop, or fine webbing on the undersides of leaves. Check the soil too, as underwatering causes similar symptoms.
How to help in dry rooms
- Keep the plant away from hot radiators and heating vents.
- For an indoor overwintering spot below about 30% humidity, group plants together or use a humidifier nearby.
- Give good airflow and avoid keeping foliage constantly wet.
temperature
Active growth
Winter rest
Oleander comes from hot, sunny Mediterranean climates, so it handles summer heat well when watered properly. Give potted plants a bright, frost-free place for winter. Established plants in the ground may take a brief light frost, but tolerance varies by cultivar and shelter.
nutrition
March - August
Feed every 2-4 weeks while it is making new growth and flowering, using a balanced liquid fertilizer for flowering shrubs at about half the label strength. A slow-release fertilizer in spring also works well for plants in the ground. Stop feeding when growth slows in autumn and winter.
Potassium
Potassium supports abundant flowering and sturdy growth. A balanced flowering-shrub fertilizer supplies enough without pushing soft, leafy growth.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus helps roots and flower development, especially for oleanders growing in containers. Normal balanced feeding is sufficient.
soil
Lean, fast-draining soil
Oleander roots cope well with heat and some dryness but rot in soggy compost. Use a free-draining potting mix amended with coarse sand, grit, or perlite, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
pH 6,0 - 8,0
This is slightly acidic to mildly alkaline, a range oleander handles well. Most general-purpose potting mixes are suitable, and there is no need to acidify the soil.