Oleander Nerium oleander
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Apocynaceae family. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Oleander in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oleander at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 17–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇦🇷 Argentina |
Is Oleander toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts, smoke from burning
All parts contain cardiac glycosides and can be fatal if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Oleander
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Oleander
- How far apart should I plant Oleander?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Oleander need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oleander need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Oleander?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Oleander flower?
- From about May for 17–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Oleander poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All parts contain cardiac glycosides and can be fatal if eaten.
- What grows well with Oleander?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oleander. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Frost-tender in cold climates.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Frangipani (plumeria) Plumeria rubra
- Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus
- Star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides
- Mandevilla Mandevilla sanderi
- Lesser periwinkle Vinca minor
- Jelutong Dyera costulata
- Madagascar palm Pachypodium lamerei