Regular pruning protects oleanders from becoming bald and continually stimulates the growth of new shoots. In this way, the shrub remains nice and bushy and can produce many flowers. Oleander is usually pruned in the spring after clearing out, but you can also do this before putting it into winter quarters.
When should oleander be cut back before overwintering?
Should you prune oleanders before overwintering? A slight thinning and removal of weak or dead shoots can be done, but heavy pruning should only be carried out in the spring after overwintering in order not to impair flower formation.
Thin out oleanders and remove weak shoots
If you prune oleander before overwintering, however, you should not decimate it too much. The plant will definitely suffer damage from overwintering, which you will have to deal with in the spring with scissors (€14.00 on Amazon). However, if the oleander has been pruned too heavily in the fall, there may not be much left in the end. The bush does sprout again, but since it blooms on two-year-old wood, the flowering is likely to be quite poor. If you want to cut oleander before winter, just thin it out and remove weak and dead shoots - this is enough until spring.
Tip
Check the shrub during the winter, for example for lack of water, pest infestation or similar problems. The quicker you intervene, the better.
