Growing oleander yourself from cuttings or offshoots is not that difficult - the evergreen plant is quite easy to root. You don't even need to cut suitable shoots, but can instead use clippings from the annual pruning.
How do I grow oleander from cuttings?
To grow oleander cuttings, cut off young shoot tips and remove all but the top pair of leaves. Place the cuttings in a glass of water and wait until fine roots emerge. Then plant the rooted shoots in potting soil and nurture them until they are strong enough to repot.
Select and cut suitable cuttings
Basically, all parts of the oleander plant can be rooted, from the delicate top cuttings to the already woody shoots. However, if you want to be on the safe side, it is best to choose the tips of young shoots, which you separate from the mother plant with a sharp and clean knife. Be careful not to crush the interface. Ideally, you should also keep the cut at a slight angle, as this will make it easier for the plant to absorb water. Last but not least, remove all but the top pair of leaves. If this is also very large, you can cut the individual sheets in half.
Rooting oleander offshoots in a glass of water
Since oleander cuttings require a lot of water to root, it makes sense to place the cuttings in a glass of water. Although this measure is not absolutely necessary - you can also put the shoots in potting soil straight away - it promises a higher success rate. Change the water daily as the sap that comes out of the plant hinders rooting. The jar with the cuttings should be placed in a warm and bright (but not full sun!) location, for example on a windowsill. The roots form within about four weeks.
Planting rooted cuttings
As soon as the fine roots are approx. one to two centimeters long, you can first plant the young plants in potting soil. However, beforehand, dip them in a powder with growth hormones (€8.00 on Amazon), this makes growing easier. Water the delicate plants regularly and vigorously and ensure high humidity. To do this, place a disposable glass or a cut-off PET bottle over the cutting. Don't forget to ventilate it daily.
Care for young oleanders properly
Now let the young oleander develop vigorously. It can take several more weeks until several new shoots have formed and grown strongly. As soon as the plant is strong enough, it can be repotted into normal potting soil. Provide plenty of water and sufficient light; if the weather permits, it is best to place the young plant in a sheltered location outdoors. Be careful not to expose them to direct sunlight right away - otherwise burns will quickly occur. You don't need to fertilize the freshly planted oleander yet. Overwinter the cutting in a cool place, but frost-free and as brightly as possible. Water it only enough to prevent the root ball from drying out. In early spring, slowly accustom the young plant to a protected place outdoors and also begin fertilizing. With a little luck it will bloom this season.
Tip
Always wear gloves when cutting oleander! The escaping plant sap is poisonous and can cause skin irritation.