In the Mediterranean home of the oleander, the summers are long, hot and dry - and the winters are rather mild. Where the oleander also grows wild, the temperatures rarely drop below zero - ice and snow are also a rarity.
Oleander does not tolerate harsh winters well
Only leave oleanders outside in mild winters
The oleander has been perfectly adapted to this pleasant Mediterranean climate for a long time, which is why it does not belong outside in our climate with short summers and long, often very cold winters in the cold season. The flowering shrub survives to around minus five degrees Celsius, but only for a short period of time. Basically, older oleanders are more robust than young plants, especially if you get them used to colder temperatures from an early age. You can also leave the shrubs outside in winter - provided the temperatures are mild and there are no extreme night frosts. However, pack them well and, above all, make sure that the roots are not damaged. Oleander keeps sprouting, even if it is frozen back above ground - only the roots must not get frost.
Leave oleanders in the pot if possible
Unless you live in a region known for its harsh winters, you can also plant the oleander in the garden. However, we recommend that you leave a sufficiently large plant pot with holes in the bottom around the root ball so that you can quickly dig up the plant and put it into winter quarters if necessary - i.e. if the temperatures drop sharply. On the other hand, if your oleander stays in the pot, move the container under an eaves or similar, if possible directly in front of a house wall, place the pot on an insulating base made of polystyrene or wood and wrap it carefully with a warming material.
tips
Don't forget to water the always thirsty oleander even in winter.