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Common Name: Oleander

General Information

Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 4.00 metres tall.
It has medicinal and miscellaneous uses.

Known Hazards

The whole plant is very poisonous[, , ]. Skin contact with the plant can cause irritation whilst ingestion of only one leaf has led to death in children[, ]. Death has been known to follow the use of the wood of this plant as a meat skewer[].
The plant contains a number of toxic principles, including oleandrin, neriine (neroside), oleandroside, ouabain and digitoxine. When ingested they can cause vomiting, shivering, gastroenteritis, respiratory disorders, weakness, brachycardia, convulsions, heart failure and death by asphyxia[].

Botanical References

,

Range

S.W. Europe to E. Asia.

Habitat

River banks and river gravels in Europe[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a heavy soil[]. Prefers a light soil according to another report[]. Requires a position in full sun[, ]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[]. Lime tolerant[, ]. Plants are very tolerant of heat and also of drought once they are established[]. Grows well in maritime gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds[].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, though plants tolerate temperatures down to -5°c and short periods of temperatures down to -10°c[, , ]. A popular greenhouse pot plant that can be grown outdoors in the summer, it can be grown outdoors all year round in the milder areas such as Cornwall[, ].
A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties[, ]. Plants are shy to flower when grown outdoors[, ]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves and the flowers are cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and sternutatory[, , ]. They have been used in the treatment of headaches[].
A decoction of the leaves has been applied externally in the treatment of scabies[], and to reduce swellings[].
This is a very poisonous plant, containing a powerful cardiac toxin[], and should only be used with extreme caution[, ].

The root is powerfully resolvent. Because of its poisonous nature it is only used externally. It is beaten into a paste with water and applied to chancres and ulcers on the penis[].

An oil prepared from the root bark is used in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases of a scaly nature[].

The whole plant is said to have anticancer properties[].

Other Uses

The plant is used as a rat poison[], a parasiticide[] and an insecticide[]. The pounded leaves and bark are used as an insecticide[].
A green dye is obtained from the flowers[].
The plant is commonly used for informal hedging in the Mediterranean[, ], though it is too tender for this use in Britain[].
The leaves contain small amounts of latex that can be used to make rubber[], though the amount is too small for commercial utilization[].
The plants have an extensive root system and are often used to stabilize soil in warmer areas[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. Do not use seed from pods infected with the bacterial disease 'oleander knot'[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, mid summer to early autumn in a frame. Good percentage[].
Cuttings of mature leading shoots[].