Nerium oleander (Oleander)

Botanical name

Nerium oleander

Other names

Nerium odorum, Oleander, Sweet-scented oleander, East Indian oleander, Jamaica South Sea rose, Rose bay, Laurier rose

Genus

Nerium Nerium

Species

N. oleander - N. oleander is an evergreen shrub with narrow grey-green leaves and clusters of salver-shaped, pink, white or red flowers in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Spreading

Toxicity

All parts are highly toxic if ingested. Contact with foliage may irritate skin.

Colour

Flower

Pink, White, Red in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs , Scale insects

General care

Pruning

May need restrictive pruning under glass in late winter. Oleanders have a tendency to become leggy. Overgrown plants should be pruned as needed to maintain a nice shape. Will tolerate hard pruning.

Propagation methods

Layering, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Nerium oleander (Oleander) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Indoor, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost in full light and shade from hot sun and with moderate humidity. In frost-free areas, grow in moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Nerium oleander (Oleander)

Common pest name

Japanese fruit scale; Mulberry scale; White peach scale

Scientific pest name

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Scale insect which in favourable conditions may kill trees. There have been a number of findings in the UK but some uncertainty about whether the pest is established. Stakeholder organisations may wish to monitory for its presence.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Nerium oleander (Oleander)

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Nerium oleander (Oleander)

Common pest name

Black scale; Coffee scale; black; Nigra scale

Scientific pest name

Parasaissetia nigra

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for in excess of 100 years. Candidate for deregulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/