Oleander
Nerium oleander
A tough evergreen screen for hot, dry, coastal or polluted sites — it flowers for months and asks for almost nothing. Every part is highly toxic, so keep it well away from livestock and children.
Oleander in a syntropic line
Oleander belongs in the Shrub layer as a Secondary species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 1.7 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Almond, Apricot. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Loam
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -8°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Extremely tough evergreen screen and windbreak for hot, dry, polluted or coastal sites; hard-prune to renew and keep dense.
How to propagate
Take softwood or hardwood cuttings anytime; they root fast in warm conditions.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
ALL parts (leaves, flowers, sap, wood) are highly toxic if eaten by humans or livestock — keep away from grazing animals and children. Sap can irritate skin and eyes.
Frequently asked questions about Oleander
Is oleander frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -8°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does oleander need?
It does best on sandy, loam ground, at pH about 6–8.5.
How much water does oleander need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can oleander handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — oleander has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with oleander?
ALL parts (leaves, flowers, sap, wood) are highly toxic if eaten by humans or livestock — keep away from grazing animals and children. Sap can irritate skin and eyes.
Design your line to see how your land fits Oleander.
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