Yellow Oleander Cascabela thevetia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Thevetia peruviana
- Phonetic Spelling
- kas-kuh-BEL-uh the-VEE-tee-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Yellow oleander is an upright, evergreen, tropical shrub or small tree in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) growing to a mature height of 8 feet and a spread of 4 feet. The plant is a native of the West Indies, Mexico and parts of Central and South America where it can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. The genus name comes from the Spanish word cascabela meaning small bell in reference to the shape of the flower and the species name honors André Thevet (1502-1592) a French monk who traveled in Brazil and Guiana.
Yellow oleander does best in rich, sandy soils, but will do well in average, medium moisture soils in full sun to part shade. If grown in a container, use fertile soils with good drainage. Water regularly, but let the soil dry out between watering. To maintain the attractiveness of the plant, promptly deadhead spent blooms to prevent seed pods. To overwinter yellow oleander indoors, site it in a cool location (about 40 degrees F.), such as a basement, with moderate light and very little water. Alternatively, you can grow it as a houseplant in a sunny but cool room with reduced water. It can be propagated from cuttings taken in late summer and the plant will tolerate light pruning to shape it after flowering (late summer to fall).
In warm environments (zone 8 and higher) plant as a small flowering tree, a hedge for privacy or prune low for a foundation planting. Its low water use makes it an excellent addition to a drought-tolerant garden, patio planting, or near a pool. In cooler climates of the United States, it is often grown as a container plant brought indoors in winter or as a year-round houseplant.
Large, showy, yellow flowers and alternate leaves distinguish it from its cousin, oleander, which has pink or white flowers and whorled leaves.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Minor insect issues include mealybugs, scale, and aphids. Caterpillars are known to chew on the leaves. If leaf spot appears on the leaves, remove them from the plant. Like most members of the dogbane family, yellow oleander is toxic. The stems exude a milky sap when cut and all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Plant saps can cause allergic skin reactions in some people and smoke from burning plant material can be toxic. Use extreme caution growing this plant around children or pets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cascabela
- Species:
- thevetia
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as an animal food, a poison and a medicine, and for fuel and food.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Central and South America
- Distribution:
- Texas, Hawaii, and Florida in the United States, India, and parts of China.
- Wildlife Value:
- Although toxic to humans and some animals, it is a food source for some birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Edibility:
- All parts of the plant are toxic.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers give way to green fruits that turn black when mature. These seed pods, each contain 1 or 2 nut-like seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large 3 inch long funnel-shaped fragrant yellow or apricot flowers in terminal clusters (cymes). Flowers bloom from summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Willow-like, linear-lanceolate, glossy green leaves 6 to 7 inches long with distinctive midribs. Leaves are waxy to reduce water loss.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green, but turn silver-gray with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested and the sap can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. Smoke from burning plant material can be toxic.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Sap/Juice