Also known as Oleander · 26 gardener saves
Nerium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Nerium, the genus most gardeners know as oleander. We track 6 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 6 most-saved Nerium varieties
Of 6 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedNerium Oleander Hardy Pink
Nerium oleander 'Hardy Pink'
#2 most savedNerium Oleander Hardy White
Nerium oleander 'Hardy White'
#3 most savedMathilde Ferrier Oleander
Nerium oleander 'Mathilde Ferrier'
Oleander Pretty Limits
Nerium oleander 'Pretty Limits'
White Oleander
Nerium oleander 'White'
Petite Pink Oleander
Nerium oleander 'Petite Pink'
How to grow Nerium
What the Nerium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Nerium year
- PruneAugust and September100% of varieties
Shape or cut back severely in late winter; remove dead or damaged wood
- FertilizeMarch83% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support heavy flowering
- Check for PestsApril–August83% of varieties
Watch for scale insects and oleander aphids
- Winter PrepNovember50% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base for root protection
- PlantMarch and April33% of varieties
Plant in spring after danger of hard frost has passed
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during drought periods ☀️
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape ✂️
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer
- Check for pests regularly and treat promptly
Avoid
- Never burn oleander trimmings, as the smoke is toxic.
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Do not prune during flowering ❌
- Keep in shaded areas where possible ❌
What goes wrong with Nerium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Hardened shells on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil |
| Oleander Caterpillar | Bright orange, black-tufted caterpillars that feed in groups and can rapidly defoliate the plant. | Hand-pick for light infestations. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are small. A systemic insecticide can be used for severe cases. |
| Scale Insects | Hard or soft bumps on stems and leaves, leading to sooty mold from their sticky excretions. | Spray with horticultural oil. For heavy infestations, use a systemic insecticide containing dinotefuran. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves | Improve drainage, avoid overwatering |
| Oleander Leaf Scorch | A bacterial disease causing uniform yellowing or browning of leaf margins, progressing to kill entire branches. | There is no cure. Prune out affected branches well below the symptomatic tissue to slow its spread. Keep the plant healthy to improve resistance. |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Nerium
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Mist regularly to maintain humidity.
- Keep in warm, bright location for 6 weeks to root.
Softwood cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings in summer.
- Remove the lower leaves.
- Place cuttings in a jar of water or moist potting soil.
- Roots will form easily within 4-6 weeks.
Nerium questions
How many types of Nerium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Nerium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 26 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Nerium grow in?
Across its varieties, Nerium covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Nerium bloom?
Most Nerium varieties bloom in late spring, summer, late spring to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Nerium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Nerium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Nerium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
