6 named cultivars

shrub

Oleander

Nerium oleander

The Story

Plant Bio

Nerium oleander is a clumping, erect broadleaf evergreen shrub from around the Mediterranean and western Asia, growing rapidly to roughly 5 to 19 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide. Strong cane-like stems rise from the base with stout shiny green twigs and narrow leathery leaves. Funnel-shaped flowers 1 to 3 in across open from spring into summer.

It is exceptionally tough, tolerating salt, drought, heat, wind, pollution and poor soil, which is why it lines roads across hot regions. It is also among the most poisonous garden plants: a small quantity of leaf can be fatal to livestock, and the smoke from burning prunings is itself dangerous.

Uses & Benefits:

Long summer display of funnel-shaped flowers in pink, white, red and cream over narrow evergreen foliage.

A fast, undemanding evergreen screen for hot, salty, polluted and drought-prone sites where little else survives.

Butterflies visit the flowers, but as a highly toxic introduced species it supports little else and poses a real hazard to livestock.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low; highly drought tolerant once established

Humidity

Tolerates dry heat and coastal salt air

Lifespan

Long-lived; decades with cane renewal

Native To

Mediterranean region and western Asia

Toxicity

Severely toxic in all parts; NCSU lists it as poisonous

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a hot site in full sun with free-draining soil.
Wear gloves and long sleeves whenever handling or pruning it.
Plant with room for a 10 ft spread, or grow it in a large pot.
Water through the first season, then only in prolonged drought.
Prune in early autumn after flowering, cutting canes to varied heights.
Bag prunings for disposal; never burn them or compost them.

Pro Tip

Cut whole canes to different heights rather than shearing the outline, or the plant goes woody and bare at the base.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow it in full sun and sharply drained soil ☀️
Wear gloves and sleeves when pruning 🧤
Use it where salt, heat and pollution defeat other shrubs 🌊
Bag and bin all prunings safely 🗑️

Don't

Do not burn the prunings; the smoke is toxic ❌
Do not plant it near livestock, children's play areas or vegetable beds ❌
Do not use the stems as skewers, kindling or plant stakes ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Aphid Watch
Prune After Flowering

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evergreen screening along hot roadsides and boundariesCoastal and poolside planting exposed to salt and windLarge containers on a sunny terrace in colder zones

Companion Plants

Rosemary Lantana BougainvilleaPomegranate Agapanthus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Oleander questions

What zones can Oleander grow in?

Oleander is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Oleander deer resistant?

Yes — Oleander is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Oleander bloom?

Oleander typically blooms in spring into summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Oleander need full sun?

Oleander does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Oleander drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Oleander handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.