The oleander (Nerium oleander), also known as rose laurel, originally comes from the Mediterranean region, but is also widespread in the Near and Middle East as well as in China and India. The evergreen, very lush flowering and woody shrub can grow up to three meters high. In Germany, the plant, which comes from the dogpoison family, is not hardy and can therefore only be cultivated in large containers. In the following care instructions we will show you how to get your oleander to bloom for a long time.
How to care for oleander for lush flowering?
To properly care for oleander, it needs a sunny location, nutrient-rich substrate, regular watering and fertilization, and a cool and bright place to overwinter. Watch for pests, yellow and brown leaves, and prune if necessary.
Which location does oleander prefer?
The plant, which is used to a Mediterranean climate, prefers a sunny and warm location that is as free from drafts as possible. Varieties with double flowers in particular should be protected from rain (e.g. by moving the plants under an eave in the event of an emergency), otherwise fungal diseases can easily develop.
Can I also plant oleander in the garden?
Oleander is only hardy down to a maximum of minus five degrees Celsius and should therefore, if possible, only be planted in the garden in mild regions and with sufficient protection. However, the tree can be cultivated very well in large containers.
Which substrate does oleander need?
The plant has a very high nutrient requirement and therefore needs a nutrient-rich, permeable substrate such as potting or garden soil, which you can also enhance with humus soil. Young oleanders should be repotted once a year, older specimens at least every five years, with a complete replacement of the substrate.
How often should I water an oleander?
Especially during the main growing season in the hot summer months, you should water oleander heavily twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. It doesn't hurt if you leave excess water in the pot saucer, because the plant has an immensely high water requirement and will quickly use up this water. If it's not quite as hot, the plant obviously doesn't need as much water. Oleander must not be allowed to dry out, but it should also not be left permanently wet. In winter, however, you only need to water rarely and little.
When and with what to fertilize an oleander
Due to the high nutrient requirements, oleander should be supplied with a good flowering plant fertilizer once or twice a week during the growing season.
How hard can you prune an oleander?
Basically, oleander doesn't need to be cut back because the shrub branches very well on its own. If the plant becomes too large, you should wait until after the first flowering before pruning - oleanders cut back in autumn or spring will no longer produce flowers in this or the following season. However, to stimulate the formation of flowers, you can carefully pluck out the dead flowers.
My oleander is getting yellow leaves. What is the cause?
Lightened to yellow leaves in oleander often indicate a nutrient deficiency, for example due to a lack of fertilization. However, the substrate may also be unsuitable or have an incorrect pH value. Repot the affected plant in fresh substrate, add some garden lime if necessary and/or preferably water with calcareous water. However, if the yellow leaves do not appear en masse, but only sporadically, an otherwise he althy oleander will only shed old leaves.
My oleander's leaves are turning brown. Why?
Brown spots on the leaves or brown leaf edges are often the result of sunburn, which occurs after being removed from the winter quarters as a result of insufficient acclimatization to the sun. Oleander should be slowly and gradually re-acclimated to a location in full sun, but not immediately placed in full sun.
Which pests particularly often plague the oleander?
Spider mites, thrips and scale insects in particular often haunt the bush with its leathery leaves. However, with these pests you don't need to resort to poison injection right away, because biological (and self-made) antidotes often work very well.
What other diseases can occur with oleander?
In particular, oleanders that have not been sufficiently fertilized and are therefore weakened often suffer from oleander cancer, which is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas and is primarily manifested by brownish growths on the shoots. The only thing that helps against this disease is a strong pruning back to he althy wood.
How can you propagate oleander yourself?
Oleander cuttings can be easily rooted in a glass of water and, as soon as the roots are strong enough, planted in a pot with soil. If possible, cut the corresponding shoots in spring or early summer. It is also possible to propagate using self-collected or purchased seeds.
How should you overwinter oleanders?
Oleander should overwinter in a bright and frost-free winter quarters at around five degrees Celsius.
Tip
As beautiful as the flowering shrub looks, all parts of the oleander are highly poisonous! So it's better to keep children and pets away from the plant.
