
Here are tips for how to trim overgrown oleander shrubs over three years:
- The first year, snip one-third of all mature stems to the ground.
- The second year you are rejuvenating overgrown oleanders, trim half of the remaining mature stems to the ground, and shorten the long shoots resulting from the prior year’s growth.
- The third year, trim back the remaining older stems to a few inches (8 cm.), and continue heading back new shoots.
How to grow and care for oleander?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Preparation Download Article
- Grow oleanders in a warm climate. Oleander plants can survive temperatures that occasionally dip below the freezing point, but they thrive in climates that remain above freezing year-round.
- Choose the spring or fall. Plant a healthy oleander bush in the spring or fall. ...
- Select a sunny location. ...
- Amend the soil with compost. ...
- Choose a healthy oleander plant. ...
When to cut back oleander?
When should you cut back oleanders? Ideally, the oleander (Nerium oleander) is pruned after blooming. All types — spring or free-bloomers – should be pruned by the end of August or early September to give any new growth sufficient time to harden off before winter.
How to trim oleanders?
Use sharp gardening shears to cut off the dead or damaged branches of your oleander. Try to cut them a few inches below where the damaged section begins. If you don't cut off the entire damaged section, the branch won't be able to regrow in a healthy way. Cut entire damaged stalks close to the roots.
How much Oleander is poisonous?
Oleanders are highly toxic, which means ingesting even a small amount of any part of this plant can result in symptoms of poisoning.
See more

When should oleanders be cut back?
Ideally prune in late winter or early spring but pruning can be done in autumn if necessary. Start by removing any dead or damaged growth, then thin out crowded shoots. Cut back flowered shoots by half and remove a few centimetres of un-flowered shoot tips which will encourage bushy growth.
How far back can I cut oleander?
As a rule, do not remove more than one-third of the entire bush. Trim branches just above a leaf node. This will encourage new growth. Continual pruning in this manner will encourage your oleander to be bushy, rather than tall and lanky.
How do you prune a mature oleander?
0:351:50Gardening Tips : How to Prune Oleander - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then that way it'll have a nice growth for the next year now the best place to cut them is rightMoreAnd then that way it'll have a nice growth for the next year now the best place to cut them is right where the three leaves. Meet because as you notice when it grows up there will be three leaves.
Can you cut back oleander in the spring?
Generally, the time to prune most spring flowering shrubs is late summer or autumn, or just after blooming. This gives the plants a chance to develop the new growth on which next season's blossoms will grow. However, summer flowering shrubs, like oleander, should be pruned in late winter or spring.
How long do oleander plants live?
It can take three to five years from the time symptoms are spotted for an oleander to die.
Should you deadhead oleanders?
A few summer-blooming trees and shrubs can benefit from deadheading. Crape myrtles, vitex and oleander are more likely to produce a second flush of flowers after the first is finished if you are able to trim back the old flowers or developing seed pods. Make your cut just behind a faded cluster or flower spike.
How do you keep oleanders blooming?
If you have no flowers on your oleander, first make sure it's getting adequate light and water. Trim back overhanging trees and weed around the plant base. Then trim the plant back by about ½ to promote new growth.
What is the best fertilizer for oleanders?
Oleanders are high water users and love fertilizer. They do not like to be watered daily and do their best if the soil does not dry excessively between waterings. Use a complete fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle-Gro for flowering plants and water it into the soil about once every six to eight weeks.
How tall do oleanders grow?
Mature Height/Spread Most cultivars will grow to 8 to 12 feet tall and almost as wide. In some protected areas mature plants may reach up to 20 feet tall. Some dwarf cultivars stay as low as 3 to 5 feet.
Should I remove seed pods from oleander?
Pruning will not affect flowering, and it will remove those pesky seedpods. Unless you want to try growing more oleanders from seed, there is no reason to allow them to develop. You can remove seedpods as soon as they start to form.
What makes oleander leaves turn yellow?
Improper watering, either too much or too little, may be the cause for yellowing oleander bushes. Although oleanders are highly drought tolerant, they benefit from irrigation during long dry spells. However, too much water can harm the plant and may be to blame for an oleander with yellow leaves.
Do oleanders need a lot of water?
Watering Your Oleander Plant They don't require too much water, are humidity tolerant, and thrive in full sun environments, perfect for Fort Lauderdale's weather conditions! Despite being drought resistant, oleander shrubs thrive when they are watered periodically during dry periods.
Do oleander leaves grow back?
They are usually evergreen but can be damaged by temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below and lose their leaves. Still, the roots rarely die if temperatures stay above 15 F, and the plant then grows back in spring.
How do you cut back oleanders after freezing?
1:213:58How to Trim Oleander After a Frost - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut back severely cold damaged branches those with no leaves or dry brittle bark to a lower branchMoreCut back severely cold damaged branches those with no leaves or dry brittle bark to a lower branch Junction or a main trunk. If you cut back into moist.
How long does it take for oleander cuttings to root?
Place the cut end of the cuttings in the water, and keep in a shady spot indoors. Add small amounts of water to the jar as needed to replace water lost to evaporation. Just try to keep the water level about the same. In 2 - 3 weeks, rooting should occur.
How do you take care of oleanders in the winter?
Keep your plant fairly dry and in a cool (but not freezing) location from November to February. After February, gradually increase water and light but resist fertilizing this early. Once outdoor temperatures are warm enough, feed your oleander and begin to reintroduce it to the outdoors gradually.
How big do oleanders get?
Dwarf varieties reach 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.) at maturity while full-size shrubs will grow up to 12 feet (3.5 m.) tall and 12 feet (3.5 m.) wide.
How to clean a tool?
Wipe all debris from your tools using a clean rag, soak them in a solution of one part bleach and three parts water for five minutes, and then rinse with clean water. This will help reduce the spread of pathogens.
Do you need to trim oleanders?
Pruning oleander shrubs is not necessary for health but will keep the shrub tidy and control growth. The time to prune oleanders and how to prune an oleander for best results are important considerations whenever oleander trimming does become necessary.
What is an oleander?
Oleander is an evergreen shrub with long, lance-shaped evergreen leaves. Plants tend to be vase-shaped, with many upright stems growing from the base.
What is the butterfly that attacks oleanders?
In warmer areas, oleander plants are occasionally attacked by the caterpillar of the common Australian crow butterfly, also known as the oleander butterfly. They rarely do enough damage to be of concern and can be left alone to develop into the lovely black-and-white butterfly.
What color are oleanders in summer?
Flowering: oleander flowers are trumpet shaped, perfumed, and white, pink or red in summer.
Is oleander poisonous to pets?
The oleander plant is well-known for being poisonous to people and pets, although the bitter taste of all parts means it’s pretty hard to ingest large amounts. However, bear this in mind before planting. The sap can also cause an irritation on the skin, so wear protective clothing when working around it.
Can oleander be grown in pots?
They can be used to form an evergreen screen—oleander hedges are quite common. Smaller forms can be grown in pots and containers.
Is oleander a tough plant?
Oleander is one of the toughest plants around. Once established, it will grow in most districts with no additional water. With highly scented flowers, evergreen foliage and few maintenance requirements, this is the perfect plant for set-and-forget gardens.
How to propagate oleander?
In order to propagate new plants, you can prune the plant and make the roots to develop on the cuttings. This rooted cutting can be planted in the soil to grow new Oleander plants. Pruning the plant generously will encourage, to keep the shrub tidy. It is ideal to prune the plant after its bloom. If you are moving an Oleander from indoors to outdoors, first start by introducing it to partial shade and then slowly move it to full sunlight.
Can oleanders survive in the sun?
The plant can survive all temperatures but thrives in areas where the temperature is above freezing point. Oleander loves full sun but tolerates light shade as well. The soil has to be a well-drained soil and adding organic compost to the bad soil will help in, improving the soil.
Is the Jacaranda tree poisonous?
Right now the A gapanthus, Oleanders and the Jacaranda trees are all out in full bloom. All parts of the Oleander plant are poisonous and dangerous to all living life, due to its toxic nature.
Is oleander a tree?
Oleander is an attractive looking shrub or small tree that can be grown in most gardens. It can grow in any place in Australia. The plant needs proper pruning to make it look a magnificent attraction to the garden. The plant offers dense foliage but is not woody in nature. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family that is generally believed to be toxic in all parts. This is the only species to be classified under the genus Nerium. It can grow well in warm and sub-tropical regions and the plant is tolerant to poor soils. Right now the A gapanthus, Oleanders and the Jacaranda trees are all out in full bloom. All parts of the Oleander plant are poisonous and dangerous to all living life, due to its toxic nature.
