Oleander Nerium oleander
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- NAIR-ee-um OH-lee-an-der
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Oleander is a rapidly growing evergreen, rounded shrub or small tree native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).
This plant dies in the winter in zone 7 and the upper bound of zone 8. It does best in the lower bound of zone 8 and zone 9. It is intolerant of low temperatures at or below 32 degrees F and may be damaged by cold winters. Prune back frost-damaged and dead branches once winter passes. Regular light pruning of the shrub after flowering in the late summer to early fall improves its shape. If needed, it can be severely pruned. When pruning, keep in mind that next seasons' blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth. In cold areas this plant can also be grown in a container that is moved indoors for the winter or as a houseplant.
Oleander grows to heights between 5 feet and 19.5 feet tall and 6 feet to 10 feet wide. Its large size makes it an ideal choice for use as a screening plant, or in the back of a border. Dwarf cultivars are also available. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained and fertile soil, although it is adaptable to many soil conditions. This plant blooms in late spring to late summer and it comes in a variety of flower colors, from pink to peach to white. Each flower has a corona, a raised, crown-like cup that surrounds the throat of the flower. The fruits are not ornamental. This shrub is highly deer and salt-tolerant, including salt spray so it works well in coastal gardens. It is also tolerant of heat, drought, wind, air pollution and poor soil (making them a favorite for plantings in medians and along highways)
ALL PARTS OF THIS PLANT ARE HIGHLY TOXIC AND MAY BE FATAL. When branches are broken, they exude a thick, gummy, sap which can cause contact dermatitis. People have been poisoned with cooking skewers fashioned from twigs of this plant. Smoke from burning material of this plant is injurious. Do not burn this plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Aphids, caterpillars mealybugs and scale are occasional pests. Armillaria, leaf spot, and sooty mold occasionally occurs.
Quick ID Hints:
- Narrow leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4
- Fruit is a pair of follicles that have splits on the seam
- Shiny, stout, green stems
- Linear-lanceolate leaves are 4 to 7 inches long and less than an inch wide
- Showy, terminal, 5-petaled flowers that are 1 to 1.5 inches in size and are in cymes
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hardy Pink'
Withstands cold temperatures better - 'Petite Pink'
Dwarf form with light pink flowers
- 'Hardy Pink'
- 'Hardy Pink', 'Petite Pink'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hardy Pink'
Withstands cold temperatures better - 'Petite Pink'
Dwarf form with light pink flowers
- 'Hardy Pink'
- 'Hardy Pink', 'Petite Pink'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nerium
- Species:
- oleander
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Texas Root Rot and Verticillium
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 19 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a slender pair of pod-like follicles that are 5-7" long, green, and have small, fringed seeds. They are not particularly attractive and can lead to litter clean up so dead-head flowers to prevent seed heads from forming.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white, pink, red, lilac, purple, orange, salmon or apricot. They are 5-petaled, single, or true double. Corollas are funnelform and have a slender tube. A corona surrounds the mouth of the tube. Stamens are attached below the throat. The inflorescence is a terminal cyme and grow all over the plant. They bloom from late spring to late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4, simple, linear-lanceolate, sharply acute, entire, and are 4-7" long. Leaves are prominent pinnate midribs above and short petioles. They are leathery and dark green in color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Strong cane-like stems. Twigs are stout and shiny green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Urban Conditions
- Wind
- 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:
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten! Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, slowed pulse, irregular heartbeat, dilation of pupils, bloody diarrhea, and drowsiness, depression, death. Poisonous either fresh or dry.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cardiac glycosides: nerioside and oleandroside; saponins, and other unknown compounds
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems