Use gloves when handling oleander since contact can cause skin irritation. Simply trim the sprout on the top to encourage the ones on the side to grow. Trim of the leaves except a few on top-end of the limb. Larger Oleanders can be easily trained into single or multi-trunked trees with dark green, leathery, and semi-glossy narrow leaves providing year-round interest. Pink and white blooming Nerium oleander When to Plant Oleander. Change the water in 3 or 4 days, as the oxygen may have depleted. Because it can grow tall and dense, rows of oleanders are often used as privacy screens. Do not burn cuttings from the plant since the smoke can cause a severe allergic reaction. Mulch added in the spring protects the plant against weeds and allows the roots to remain moist. These pests are about 2 inches (5 cm) long with orange-red bodies and black tufts of hair. It produces abundant white, pink, salmon, red or yellow flowers. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Get involved. Some oleander plants have even been known to reach 20 feet (6.1 m) (6.1 m). Oleander's main claim to fame is that it has featured prominently in both fictional and real-life murders. At that point, however, the foliage will be damaged. The leaves are oblong and would remind you of laurel. Wait a few moments after applying the water. Oleander caterpillars are the most common pest. Also note that oleander bushes are good to use as "walls" against wind and can protect more sensitive plants, but damage caused during severe winds can ruin open blossoms and closed buds for the season. Usually, oleanders grow rapidly, extending themselves by another 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) (30.5 to 61 cm) per year. If the leaves begin to yellow, however, the plant is receiving too much water. Its use as a poison is well known. Make sure that the plant is getting plenty of sunlight. The more it gets light, the higher it will grow. Use an organic mulch, like wood chips or grass clippings. 1. The leaf node is a section where three leaves come out from the branch. With a few simple steps, you can easily grow more of them. Inspect the plant before making your purchase. This encourages new blooming. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The best soil for oleanders will be well-drained. This article has been viewed 32,604 times. Oleanders are typically grown from established transplants, and once they're in the ground, they only require minimal care. Oleanders are quite adaptable, but prefer a location that receives full sun. Oleander is a shrub or small tree that blooms in summer with large, striking flowers in shades of red, white, light yellow, and pink. Place multiple plants 6 to 12 feet apart. For a layered, open hedge, plant them to allow enough space so the mature plants barely touch. Note that in especially hot, dry climates, a location that receives partial shade may actually be better than one that receives full sun. Ther… Oleander tree care takes work, but the result is often spectacular. References. Avoid plants labeled as "double white," "single red," and so on. In its natural environment the oleander tree grows in a mild climate along streams where the soil stays moist for most of the time. You could use a mild fertilizer with balanced amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen in the spring if the soil is especially nutrient-deprived, but only do so within the first few years. Normal rainfall should be enough to water the plants thereafter, unless the rate is less than 1 inch a week during summer. Also remove overgrown and intertwined wood. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Grow-Oleander-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Oleander-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Grow-Oleander-Step-1.jpg\/aid4884582-v4-728px-Grow-Oleander-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"