Oleander plant profile
Nerium oleander
A perennial shrub for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Oleander
Set oleander out after the last spring frost. It is intolerant of temperatures at or below 32 F, so in zones colder than 8a grow it in a container moved indoors for winter; prune frost-damaged branches once winter passes.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Oleander in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 72 to 120 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 8a to 10bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: highly poisonous all parts, frost damage below 32f, aphids and scale.
Next steps
Continue with Oleander
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Nerium oleander (Oleander, Rosebay)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Oleander (Nerium oleander) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.