When you think of a bit of the Mediterranean in your garden, you usually think of rosemary, lavender and maybe a fig. But those who dare to go a step further choose oleander – a plant with the looks of a Greek goddess and the personality of a rock star on a bad day. With delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, red and even apricot, and leaves that resemble laurel, oleander is more than just a decoration – it’s a statement. And a bold one at that. How to grow an oleander tree?
But like every beauty with a temperament, she also has a tree oleander its requirements. It needs sun. It needs space. And although it seems like a plant that is ideal for family gardens, it is not. Its secret side is – deadly. Literally. All parts of the plant are poisonous. That is why we plant it with sensitivity and respect. But for those who know how to grow and shape it correctly, it repays itself with a seasonal explosion of flowers and that elusive Mediterranean energy that we usually only encounter at bougainvillea on a terrace in Dalmatia.
How to grow a tree from oleander?
First, let's clarify: oleander is a shrub by nature. Dense, branched, and often a bit messy. But with a little determination (and pruning shears), it can be transformed over the years into an elegant oleander tree - with a single trunk and a lush crown that will look like a flowering fountain over the summer. It all starts with the right location. Oleander loves the sunAnd when we say “love,” we mean at least six to eight hours of direct sun per day. Without it, you’ll just have a leafy bush that will occasionally mumble a flower, much like an artist without inspiration.
The earth should be well-drained, slightly sandy and rich in organic matter. If you plant it in a pot, don't forget a thick layer of drainage - oleander has a serious resistance to standing water. Plan planting in the warm part of the year, when night temperatures are stably above 10 °C. Once planted, oleander doesn't need much - at least in terms of water. The first year after planting, it is watered regularly so that the root system develops well. Later, it can also withstand longer dry periods without any special drama. In a pot, it becomes a little more sensitive to drying out, so just keep an eye on the moisture there.
How to grow an oleander tree?
Forming an oleander tree is a process that requires patience and some garden discipline. In the first few years, remove all side shoots and leave only one main column growing. This will later become your trunk. Clean up the lower part of the plant regularly to maintain its shape. Every spring before the new growing season, do a thorough pruning – remove all interfering branches, thin shoots and anything that looks untidy. Oleander blooms on new shoots, so pruning will only give it a boost. Although it sometimes seems like it doesn’t care about the world, with the right pruning it will show you all its lushness and color.
Fertilizing during the growing season is optional, but if you want really lush blooms, give it a fertilizer for flowering plants every few weeks. But be careful – too much nitrogen means more leaves, fewer flowers. And that’s not exactly what you want from a plant that’s supposed to be a visual spectacle.
What about in winter?
This is where the Mediterranean character of oleander comes into play. If you live in a place with mild winters, you may be able to leave your oleander outside with some protection. But if you are dealing with alpine air or a continental winter, it is time to move it. Move it in its pot to a cool but bright place – ideally between 5 and 10 °C. A garage with a window? Great. An unheated hallway? Also fine. Let it overwinter there with minimal watering – just enough so that the roots don’t dry out. In March, slowly start to wake it up – more light, a little more water – and when the danger of frost has passed, you can move it back to its summer stage.
Oleander tree = beauty with a dark side
There's no room for romanticism here: it's olender seriously poisonous plant. The sap contains oleandrin, which is toxic to humans and animals – ingesting the leaves or flowers can cause severe poisoning, and in extreme cases even death. That's why we don't plant it near children's playgrounds, not near vegetable beds, and not where dogs might mistake it for a snack. Be sure to wash your hands after pruning – and if you're the type of gardener who prunes with one hand and holds a sandwich in the other, you might want to consider a less risky green pet.
Growing an oleander tree is not just gardening – it's a Mediterranean lifestyle
If you feel you are up for the challenge, the oleander tree will become one of the most striking elements of your garden or terrace. Over the years, it develops from an unruly shrub into a mighty tree that shines in the sun like an exotic star. And although it requires some attention, we cannot accuse it of being spoiled - because in exchange for minimal care, it offers the most that a plant can give: long-lasting flowering, an explosion of color, resistance and character.
Remember: in the plant world, an oleander is the guy who shows up to a party in a white shirt, aviator sunglasses, and no apology. All you have to do is make room for him and enjoy the show.
