Oleander
Nerium oleander
Also listed as Nerion oleandrum, Nerium atropurpureum
Also known as Common Oleander, Rose Bay, Rose Laurel
Climate Match for your location
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Oleander is a heat- and drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and showy, fragrant flowers in pink, red, white, or yellow. It thrives in warm climates and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Oleander offers reliable performance in hot, dry climates where many ornamental shrubs struggle, making it a practical choice for water-limited gardens in warm regions. Compared to other heat-tolerant flowering shrubs, it provides sustained blooms across warm months with minimal fertilizer or supplemental irrigation once established. It functions well as a screen or hedge in Mediterranean and arid climates where alternatives may require more maintenance.
Watch out for
Oleander performs poorly in cold climates and cannot tolerate sustained freezing; containerized plants in marginal zones require winter protection or relocation. Flowering may be sparse in shaded locations, and the plant can become leggy without occasional pruning to maintain shape.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Oleander is a heat- and drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and showy, fragrant flowers in pink, red, white, or yellow. It thrives in warm climates and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Oleander grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Oleander offers reliable performance in hot, dry climates where many ornamental shrubs struggle, making it a practical choice for water-limited gardens in warm regions. Compared to other heat-tolerant flowering shrubs, it provides sustained blooms across warm months with minimal fertilizer or supplemental irrigation once established. It functions well as a screen or hedge in Mediterranean and arid climates where alternatives may require more maintenance.
Watch out for
Oleander performs poorly in cold climates and cannot tolerate sustained freezing; containerized plants in marginal zones require winter protection or relocation. Flowering may be sparse in shaded locations, and the plant can become leggy without occasional pruning to maintain shape.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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