In contrast to other Mediterranean plants, which prefer it to be dry and are extremely sensitive to too much moisture, the oleander needs a lot of water. The shrub is also one of the plants that can survive waterlogging undamaged and loves it when there is always enough water in the pot saucer in hot summers.
How often and with what should you water oleander?
The oleander needs a lot of water, especially in summer. Water it regularly with stale, preheated tap water, as rainwater is unsuitable. In winter, watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient. During the growth phase, liquid fertilizer is recommended in the irrigation water.
If possible, avoid watering oleander with rainwater
Many gardeners prefer rainwater to water their plants. This low-lime water is free and is also the best choice for many lime-sensitive garden plants. But not for the oleander, because it does not tolerate rainwater! For this reason, it is best to use stale tap water that has been preheated by the sun to feed your oleander bushes. Rainwater only leads to acidification of the substrate, whereupon the roots of the Mediterranean shrub are blocked and can no longer transport sufficient water and nutrients to the above-ground parts of the plant.
In summer the oleander likes it to be as wet as possible
In its homeland, the oleander thrives primarily along rivers and streams that are regularly flooded and thus ensure plenty of wet feet. Over the course of the summer, the bed often dries out, although the roots of the shrub often reach into the groundwater or other underground water sources and can thus provide themselves with sufficient supplies. This self-sufficiency is not possible in a pot, which is why you should water your oleander regularly and often and always leave water in the saucer. On hot summer days, the shrub may need to be watered up to three times.
Don’t forget to water in winter
When overwintering the oleander, you should definitely not forget to water it, although the oleander is no longer as thirsty in the cold season as it is in the hot summer. As a rule, it is sufficient to care for the shrub once or twice a week.
Tip
During the growth phase, it is best to fertilize the oleander at the same time as the irrigation water (for example, by using liquid fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon)), as this is the quickest way for the nutrients to reach the roots.