Oleander

What does Oleander look like?

Oleander is a dense, evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching 2 to 6 metres in height. Its leaves are thick, leathery, and dark green, arranged in pairs or whorls of three, and shaped like narrow lances. The flowers grow in clusters at the branch tips and are usually pink in wild plants, but cultivated forms can be white, dark red, or double-flowered. Flowers are 2.5–5 cm across, with five fringed lobes, and may have a sweet scent. The fruit is a long, narrow pod that splits to release downy seeds.

Where does Oleander come from?

Oleander is native to a wide region from northwest Africa and the Mediterranean through southern Asia, including Morocco, Portugal, India, Myanmar, and Yunnan in China. It grows wild in dry, sunny places near stream beds, tolerating both drought and flooding. The name 'Nerium' comes from Greek, referring to its watery habitats. Oleander has been grown for thousands of years, known to ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, and was popular in Roman gardens. Its name and associations have shifted across languages and cultures.

When and how Oleander blooms

Oleander blooms mainly in warm, sunny climates and is grown as an ornamental shrub in gardens and along roadsides. It is drought-tolerant and can survive temporary flooding, but not prolonged frost. In cultivation, it is often grown from cuttings or seeds. Gardeners prune it to maintain shape or train it as a small tree. In some regions, it is planted in large numbers for landscaping, such as along highways and in public gardens.

How Oleander is used

People plant oleander widely for its showy flowers and evergreen foliage, especially in Mediterranean-style gardens, parks, and along roadsides. It is a feature of city plantings in places like Galveston, Texas, where it is celebrated in local festivals. Though beautiful, all parts of the plant are highly toxic, so it is not used for food or medicine today. In ancient times, it was sometimes mentioned in remedies, but its toxicity is now well known.

Kinds of Oleander

Cultivated oleanders come in many forms, with flowers ranging from white to deep red and single or double petals. Some are bred for larger blooms or more compact growth. Wild plants are typically pink-flowered. There are also regional differences in hardiness and size, with some forms better suited to cooler climates.

What Oleander means

Oleander has a long history in Mediterranean and Asian cultures, appearing in ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian texts and art. It is often depicted in Roman murals and was planted in ancient gardens. In Galveston, Texas, it is so widely grown that the city is nicknamed 'Oleander City' and hosts an annual festival. Despite its beauty, its poisonous nature is well known and has shaped its reputation.

Where Oleander is used and seen

GarlandA string or braid of flowers, leaves, or other materials for decoration or ceremonyMehtab BaghA Mughal riverside garden facing the Taj Mahal in AgraBatumi Botanical GardenA vast Black Sea garden with plants from around the world and sweeping sea views

Traditions that use it

Where to see Oleander

🇮🇳 Chennai · All yearKoyambedu wholesale flower marketThe flower block of Chennai's vast Koyambedu wholesale complex, busiest before sunrise. 🇮🇳 Madurai · All yearMadurai malli at the Mattuthavani flower marketThe wholesale market that sets the daily price of Madurai malli, the jasmine the city is famous for. 🇮🇳 Nagercoil · All yearThovalai flower marketA village flower market near the southern tip of India that supplies Kerala, above all at Onam. 🇪🇸 Granada · Apr to OctThe Generalife gardens above the AlhambraThe summer estate of Granada's Nasrid rulers, where water channels run between roses, myrtle, jasmine and orange trees.

Questions people ask about Oleander

Good reading and sources

• The Mughal rulers, especially Jahangir, had considerable literary skillsThe Hindu, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Nerium on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data