- The colder the oleander hibernates, the sooner it can be cleared out
- Slowly get oleanders used to the sun
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Around the Mediterranean Sea, temperatures tend to be mild in winter. Severe frosts, snow and ice are extremely rare here. No wonder, then, that the Mediterranean oleander does not tolerate the cold and is therefore best hibernated cool but frost-free. However, the plant should not remain in winter quarters longer than absolutely necessary.
Oleander should spend the summer outdoors
The colder the oleander hibernates, the sooner it can be cleared out
Oleander should hibernate as coolly as possible at temperatures of around five degrees Celsius. Plants that are brought over the cold season at these temperatures can also remain in a darker place and be taken outside earlier than warmer wintered oleanders. Depending on the weather, oleanders that have wintered in a cool place can be put outside between the beginning and middle of April, but initially only by the hour. You should also protect the pots from the cold overnight with bubble wrap or something similar. On the other hand, specimens that have hibernated at temperatures above ten degrees Celsius should only be outdoors from around the beginning to mid-May. These oleanders have often already formed new shoots that are very sensitive to cold.
Slowly get oleanders used to the sun
When clearing out the winter quarters, you should also not immediately put the oleanders in their usual place in full sun. The plant is no longer used to its effects and could suffer sunburn. It is also possible that she reacts to the sudden shock by dropping her leaves. Instead, first place the oleander in a shady spot, as close as possible to a warming house wall, and slowly increase the amount of sunshine from day to day. If cold snaps are to be expected, it is best to put the plant away again or wrap it up warm to protect it from the frost. Otherwise they may suffer damage from the frost (e.g. withered leaves and shoots).
Cloudy or rainy days are ideal for clearing out
In order to protect the oleander from the harmful effects of the sun (keyword: UV light), you should preferably take it out of its winter quarters on a day with an overcast sky or on a rainy day. This gives the plant more time to get used to the new location and the transition shock is not too severe.
tips
The rule of thumb for overwintering oleanders is always: put the plants in their winter quarters as late as possible and remove them again as early as possible.