Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Oleander (Nerium oleander L.).
This plant has several common names including: oleander, East Indian oleander, Jamaica South Sea rose, laurier rose, rose bay or sweet-scented oleander.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: oleander, East Indian oleander, Jamaica South Sea rose, laurier rose, rose bay, sweet-scented oleander
Scientific name: Nerium oleander L.
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse, Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance, Wall-side Borders
Other characteristics: Drought resistant
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) – Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Oleander (Nerium oleander L.), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Nerium oleander L. likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) – Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
