Oleander

An exceptionally tough flowering shrub — and toxic in every part.

Scientific name: Nerium oleander
Family: Dogbane family

Ornamentals

Oleander is among the most punishing-conditions-tolerant ornamentals there is: heat, drought and salt, flowering all summer, which is why it lines highway margins. But every part of it is poisonous, and that is not a footnote — it is the first factor deciding whether it belongs in your garden.

At a glance

Plant typeShrub or small tree
WateringEvery 1–2 weeks
LightFull sun
Comfortable range15 – 38 °C
Height2 – 6 m
Spread1.8 – 3 m
FloweringSummer
Growth rateFast

Care guide

Watering

Every one to two weeks. It handles drought well once established and accepts lower-quality irrigation water than most ornamentals.

Light and heat

Full sun and a wide range from 15 to 38 °C. It tolerates wind, dust and reflected heat off asphalt.

Soil and feeding

A balanced feed monthly from spring through summer, halved for container plants. Stop in winter and water after feeding. Always wear gloves when handling it.

Pruning

Prune in early spring to manage size, encourage flowering and clear dead wood. Handle the clippings carefully: never burn them, and never leave them within reach of children or livestock.

Propagation

Healthy semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone in a free-draining medium kept moist.

In Saudi conditions

A practical decision before planting: if young children use the garden or animals graze there, pick something else. Oleander is excellent for outer boundaries and screens away from play areas — not for beds beside the entrance.