With appropriate care, oleander grows quite quickly and can become very large and wide. Younger specimens in particular should be repotted once a year so that they can continue to grow vigorously and bloom profusely.
When and how should you transplant oleander?
Oleander should be transplanted in early spring, immediately after clearing out its winter quarters. Choose a slightly larger pot, carefully loosen and shorten the roots, use fresh low-humus substrate with long-term fertilizer and cut the oleander back above ground.
When is the right time to transplant the oleander?
It is high time to transplant when the roots of the oleander are already growing out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Then you can be sure that there is no longer enough soil in the pot for the numerous roots. In many cases, the cramped roots also mean that the oleander no longer blooms as profusely and its leaves turn yellow. The reason for this is the lack of nutrients, because in the narrow planting container the roots can no longer absorb as many nutrients as necessary for an adequate supply. Therefore, younger specimens should
- repotted once a year
- the best time for this is early spring
- immediately after clearing out the winter quarters.
- Older oleanders are only moved about every five years,
- but also more often if necessary.
- The replacement of the substrate is extremely important.
Plant container and substrate – which one is the right one?
When transplanting, use a slightly larger pot that will comfortably accommodate the root ball. It is usually sufficient to choose the next larger container and shorten the roots before potting. Older and very large oleanders can also easily be planted in the old pot, although root pruning is essential. In this case, shorten the root ball by about a third and don't forget to cut back the above-ground shoots to the same extent. The most important thing when transplanting is the fresh substrate, which you can mix yourself or buy commercially. Low-humus soil for Mediterranean potted plants is the right choice. Be sure to add slow-release fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon)!
Transplanting oleander – this is how it works
- Take the oleander out of its pot.
- If this proves difficult, use a sharp knife to loosen the roots and soil from the edge of the pot.
- Now carefully tear open the root network with your fingers
- and remove the old soil.
- However, rinsing is not necessary.
- Cut the roots back by a third (if desired)
- and now place the oleander in a bucket of lukewarm water.
- Now prepare the planter.
- Place larger pottery shards over the drain hole
- and fill in potting soil.
- Now hold the oleander in the middle of the pot
- and fill the cavities with soil.
- Press the substrate well and water thoroughly.
- Cut the oleander back above ground too.
Tip
You can also bury the oleander in the garden over the summer. However, you will have to bring it out again if a cold winter threatens. When digging into the ground, do not remove the plant pot, but do remove any existing planter.
