Oleander is usually propagated vegetatively by cuttings or, if it is larger bushes, by division. However, there is still another possibility: Older oleanders in particular form seed pods - unless the fruit bases are removed first - which, with a bit of luck, contain numerous small, winged seeds. These can be used wonderfully to propagate the oleander.
How do you propagate oleander from seeds?
To propagate oleander from seed, harvest seed pods and soak seeds overnight. Then sow on nutrient-poor growing substrate, cover lightly and keep moist. Germination occurs after a few weeks. Seedlings are often very different from the parent plants.
Seed propagation of oleander is an exciting matter
In contrast to vegetative forms of propagation, where you know in advance exactly what the future plant will look like - after all, it is only a clone of the mother plant - you can expect a lot of surprises when propagating from seeds. Seedlings often look nothing like the parent plants and the offspring are very different from one another. This phenomenon occurs because the fertilization of the flowers causes the genetic material of the parent plants to mix with each other, mutations can occur or previously suppressed characteristics from more distant ancestors can suddenly become established.
Breeding new oleander varieties
For this reason, seedlings are preferred for breeding new oleander varieties. Even you as a hobby gardener can try it. All you need is at least two different types of oleander, which you pollinate by hand using a fine brush immediately after the flower buds open. If seed pods develop from them, sow the seeds inside and cultivate the developing seedlings. However, you need a little patience for breeding, because the small plants do not bloom until they are three years old at the earliest - only now can you see what shape and color the flowers have so that you can select.
Sowing seeds and growing seedlings
The seed pods are ready to harvest as soon as they have turned brown and gradually burst open. Collect the seeds inside and then proceed as described:
- First soak the seeds in lukewarm water for at least one night.
- As it is a Mediterranean plant, stratification is not necessary.
- Fill a shallow seed tray with a nutrient-poor growing substrate.
- Herb and growing soil is ideal (€6.00 on Amazon), but a substrate based on coconut fiber is also very suitable.
- Sow the seeds on it and cover them only lightly with sifted soil.
- Oleander is one of the light germinators.
- Spray seeds and substrate with stale, lukewarm tap water.
- Keep the substrate evenly moist until germination.
- Cover the bowl with a piece of cling film or something similar to increase the humidity.
- Place the bowl in a bright and warm place.
Now you have to be patient, because it can take a few weeks for germination. In principle, oleander seeds can be sown all year round, but the best results are achieved in spring.
Tip
In contrast to propagation from cuttings, the typical oleander diseases such as oleander canker are not passed on to the newly emerging plants when propagated by seeds. For this reason, seedlings are particularly popular for grafting (for example with oleander tall stems).
