Oleander
Nerium oleander
A widely used screening shrub with colorful blooms, though all parts are poisonous to humans and animals.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; tolerant of extreme low-desert heat and frost into the low 20s, with only cosmetic foliage burn in hard freezes.
AMWUA Notes
A tough, moderate-water screen with a dwarf form available, but all parts are poisonous and it is increasingly hit by fatal oleander leaf scorch, so weigh its long-term reliability.
Care Guide
Very adaptable; water deeply every 1-2 weeks in summer for lush growth, though established plants tolerate considerable drought once rooted.
Prune after bloom to control size and remove old canes at the base to renew; always wear gloves and never burn clippings, since all parts and the smoke are highly toxic.
A light spring feeding supports vigor; it is otherwise undemanding.
Watch for oleander aphids and the fatal bacterial oleander leaf scorch now affecting desert plantings; remove and destroy scorch-infected plants promptly.
Evergreen with a long spring-through-fall bloom; foliage may burn in a hard frost but recovers, and it flowers heaviest in summer heat.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Very adaptable including clay, saline, alkaline, and caliche soils at pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Softwood or hardwood cuttings root readily, even in water.
4-5 ft
Vigorous but non-invasive roots; keep a few feet off paving.
Placement Tips
- •Standard forms reach 5 ft or more; space 4-5 ft apart for a hedge, or use dwarf cultivars for lower borders.
- •A traditional pool and wall screen, but its toxicity makes it a poor choice around children, pets, and grazing animals.
- •Moderate litter of spent flowers and leaves means some poolside cleanup.
- •Full sun gives the densest screen; be aware leaf scorch disease is reducing its long-term reliability in the region.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Oleander. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Oleander — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Oleander need in Phoenix?
Oleander is a moderate-water shrub once established. Very adaptable; water deeply every 1-2 weeks in summer for lush growth, though established plants tolerate considerable drought once rooted. A tough, moderate-water screen with a dwarf form available, but all parts are poisonous and it is increasingly hit by fatal oleander leaf scorch, so weigh its long-term reliability.
How big does Oleander get?
Expect roughly 5 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 4-5 ft of spacing when planting. Vigorous but non-invasive roots; keep a few feet off paving.
Can you plant Oleander near a pool?
Not ideally. Oleander is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated moderate.
Can Oleander handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Oleander is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; tolerant of extreme low-desert heat and frost into the low 20s, with only cosmetic foliage burn in hard freezes. Evergreen with a long spring-through-fall bloom; foliage may burn in a hard frost but recovers, and it flowers heaviest in summer heat.
Does Oleander have thorns?
No. Oleander is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Oleander safe around pets?
Oleander is not listed as pet-friendly, so keep it out of areas where pets graze or chew, and check with your vet if you are unsure.
When does Oleander bloom in Arizona?
Oleander blooms in spring-fall, with white/pink/red flowers.
How much maintenance does Oleander need?
Oleander is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated moderate. Prune after bloom to control size and remove old canes at the base to renew; always wear gloves and never burn clippings, since all parts and the smoke are highly toxic.
What kind of soil does Oleander need?
Very adaptable including clay, saline, alkaline, and caliche soils at pH 7.5-8.5. Nutrient needs are low. A light spring feeding supports vigor; it is otherwise undemanding.
Is Oleander native to Arizona?
No. Oleander is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Mediterranean, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.