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Oleander - Plant Information
Nerium oleander
Community Discussions about Oleander
The oleander (Nerium oleander) is generally described as a Perennial Tree or Shrub. This Dicot (dicotyledon) is not native to the U.S. (United States) and has its most active growth period in the Spring and Summer and Fall . The Oleander has Green foliage and conspicuous Red flowers, with conspicuous Brown fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the Summer, with fruit and seed production starting in the Summer and continuing until Fall. Leaves are retained year to year. The Oleander has a Moderate life span relative to most other plant species and a Rapid growth rate. At maturity, the typical Oleander will reach up to 12 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 12 feet.
The Oleander is easily found in nurseries, garden stores and other plant dealers and distributors. It can be propagated by Bare Root, Container, Cuttings and Seed. It has a Slow ability to spread through seed production and the seedlings have Low vigor. Note that cold stratification is not required for seed germination and the plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below 14°F. Oleander has High tolerance to drought and restricted water conditions.
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Plant Name Synonyms
- Sorry, no plant name synonyms found
USDA Plant Status
- Sorry, this plant has no status information with the USDA
Plant Distribution
Oleander can be found in Alabama (AL), Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), North Carolina (NC), Puerto Rico (PR), South Carolina (SC), Texas (TX), Utah (UT) and Virgin Islands of the U.S. (VI)
Taxonomy
| Common Characteristics | Data for Oleander |
|---|---|
| Plant Basics | |
| Category | Dicot |
| General Type | Tree, Shrub |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Growth Period | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Growth Duration | Perennial |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Plant Nativity | Introduced to U.S. |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Bloom Period | Summer |
| Displays Fall Colors | Yes |
| Shape/Growth Form |
Multiple Stem(options) |
| Shape & Orientation |
Erect(options) |
| Drought Tolerance |
High(options) |
| Shade Tolerance |
Intolerant(options) |
| Height When Mature | 12 feet (12 feet max. height after 20 years) |
| Vegetative Spread Rate |
None(options) |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Flower Conspicuousness | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuousness | No |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
| Fruit/Seed Seasonality | Summer–Fall |
| Seed Spread Rate |
Slow
(options)
with seedling vigor |
| Gardening Characteristics | |
| Propagations (Ways to Grow) | Bare Root, Container, Cuttings and Seed |
| Moisture Requirements |
Low(options) |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Minimum Temperature | 14°F |
| Soil Depth for Roots | 16 inches minimum |
| Toxic to Nearby Plants | No |
| Toxic to Livestock | No |
| After-Harvest Resprout Ability | Yes |
| Responds to Coppicing | Yes |
| Growth Requirements | |
| pH Range | 5.5–7.8 pH |
| Precipitation Range | 14–60 inches/yr |
| Planting Density | 700–1,200 indiv./acre |
| Soil Textures | Coarse, Fine and Medium |
| Minimum Frost-Free Days | 230 days |
| Salinity Tolerance | Medium (options) |
| Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio | High (options) |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Low (options) |
| Sustainability & Use | |
| Leaf Retention | Yes |
| Palatablity | |
| Fire Resistant | Yes |
| Causes Livestock Bloating | None (options) |
Source: USDA, NRCS, PLANTS Database, plants.usda.gov.
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA
