Common Name: Oleander

General Information

Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree with thin, erect branches; it can grow to a height of 4 - 8 metres[].
A very poisonous plant it is sometimes gathered from the wild for medicinal and other uses. It is often cultivated as an ornamental plant, where it can be grown as a hedge.
Widely cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate regions, Nerium oleander has often escaped from cultivation. In some countries it has become naturalized and in some of these it is declared invasive[]

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

Mediterranean region, through southern Asia to the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar and China.

Habitat

River banks and river gravels in Europe[]. Seasonally dry rocky watercourses.

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Nerium oleander is native to semi-arid , warm temperate to subtropical regions from the Mediterranean through southern Asia to India. It can be cultivated in the drier regions of tropical to warm temperate climates[]. The plant is not very cold-hardy, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -5 to -8°c when fully dormant, so long as the soil is well-drained.
Requires a position in full sun[, ]. Prefers a heavy soil[]. Prefers a light soil according to another report[]. 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[] and saline soils[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties[, ].
The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[].
Plants can flower freely all year round in some areas[].
Plants can be shy to flower in cooler regions when the plant is grown outdoors[, ]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Oleander is a very poisonous plant, containing a powerful cardiac toxin[], and should only be used with extreme caution[, ].

The leaves and the flowers are cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and sternutatory[, , ]. A decoction of the leaves has been applied externally in the treatment of scabies and parasitic skin worms[, ], and to reduce swellings[].

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[].

Oleandrin (neriolin), a cardiotonic glucosides extracled from the leaves, has a salutary effect when used in the treatment of heart failure. It is more quickly absorbed by mouth and is less cumulative than digitoxin (obtained from Digitalis species)[].

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

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is commonly used for informal hedging in the Mediterranean[, ].
The plants have an extensive root system and are often used to stabilize soil in warmer areas[].

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[].
An aqueous maceration of the pounded seeds can be used as an insecticide[].


A green dye is obtained from the flowers[].

The leaves contain small amounts of latex that can be used to make rubber[], though the amount is too small for commercial utilization[].
A sticky lates exudes if the stems are cut.

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[].