Nerium oleander L.

RHS Plant Profile

oleander

RHS 1972

Other common names

East Indian oleander, Jamaica South Sea rose, laurier rose, rose bay, sweet-scented oleander

Synonyms

Nerium oleander 'Laurier Rose'
Nerium indicum
Nerium oleander var. indicum
Nerium odorum
Nerium odoratum

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub with narrowly lance-shaped grey-green leaves and terminal clusters of salver-shaped, pink, white or red flowers 3-4cm across, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eatensmoke from burning is harmful. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Nerium are evergreen shrubs with linear or narrowly oblong leaves and terminal clusters of salver- or funnel-shaped flowers, followed by long, bean-like seed-pods
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Mediterranian to W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun in sheltered frost-free conditions. Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light, ventilate well

Propagation

Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood cuttings or by air layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass in late winter. Will tolerate hard pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa. May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)