With its narrow, long, shiny dark green leaves and numerous brightly colored flowers, the oleander is a real eye-catcher in any garden. However, the shrub, which originated in the Mediterranean region, needs a lot of attention and care in order for it to fully develop its beauty.

As a potted plant, oleander needs a lot of care

Choose planter and substrate

So that Nerium oleander, as the plant, which can grow up to five meters high, is also known in botanical jargon, really feels comfortable, it needs a plant pot that is as wide as it is deep. The roots of the oleander naturally stretch in all directions, always in search of water, but the root ball tends to develop in width rather than depth. So choose a planter that is about twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball itself. In there you fill in a moderately humus-rich, rather loamy soil, which at best consists of a mixture of commercially available potting soil and loamy garden soil. You can also mix in a handful or two of sand there.

Properly care for oleanders in the bucket

Oleanders in pots should be repotted once a year, replacing the substrate and always choosing the next larger pot size. If the shrub has already grown so large and heavy that repotting is difficult, this measure is only necessary every five years. Proper oleander care also includes regular watering - up to three times a day on hot summer days! - as well as regular fertilizing. A rich fertilizer for flowering plants, which you give the oleander about once or twice a week, is particularly suitable for this. Oleander is extremely thirsty - and is also one of the plants that can't be harmed by wet feet - and a typical heavy feeder. In complete contrast to numerous other Mediterranean plants. Pruning is always done in spring if possible.

Choose a suitable location

Oleander loves the sun and warmth and therefore needs an appropriate location. However, you should place the bucket in such a way that the shrub is well protected from wind and rain - the plant needs a lot of water, but not from above.

It is better not to overwinter oleanders outdoors

As a Mediterranean plant, oleander is not hardy and only tolerates light frosts down to about minus five degrees Celsius - and only for a short period of time. For this reason, it is better to overwinter the shrub in cold house conditions at around five degrees Celsius (frost-free of course), although it does not necessarily have to be light. Don't forget to water even in winter!

tips

It is better not to use rainwater for watering (makes the substrate acidic), but stagnant and warmed up tap water.

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Trees