The oleander belongs to the heat-loving plants, but it can also spend the winter with us. We show how to protect the oleander from frost and cold.
Cold and snow are temporarily no problem for the oleander (Nerium oleander), because it gets chilly around the Mediterranean Sea from time to time. However, if the temperatures drop below -5 °C, it becomes dangerous for the oleander. In order to protect it, the oleander should therefore be overwintered properly.
As a Mediterranean plant, the oleander is not only known for hot summers, but also for cool nights and occasionally for short periods of frost and snow. However, it is not adapted to our cold winters and should therefore be overwintered indoors.
Overwintering oleanders: When does the oleander get too cold?
Short-term night frosts do not damage the oleander. It only becomes critical from -5 °C. These temperatures usually occur from mid or late November. Then it's time to move the oleander to its winter quarters.
Overwintering oleanders outdoors
Overwintering the oleander outdoors is only possible in a few corners of Germany. Mild regions such as the Rhine Valley or North Rhine-Westphalia have the advantage that winter temperatures do not drop too low over long periods of time. If it does get cold, it's usually only for a short time. Nevertheless, the oleander must also be protected here. Place sticks and leaves around the plant to protect the roots from frost. The leaves should be wrapped with a special light- and air-permeable fleece.
- Only possible in mild regions of Germany
- Protect roots with brushwood and leaves
- Pack leaves and stems with light- and air-permeable fleece
Winter oleanders indoors
Fortunately, the oleander does not have too high demands on its winter quarters. However, it does not want to be overwintered in warm rooms. Here he easily becomes a victim of spider mites and scale insects. If so, spray itoccasionally with a little water as a preventive measure. However, this should not be done too often, otherwise there is a risk of dry rot.
The oleander prefers cool rooms with a temperature between 5 and 10 °C. Greenhouses, cool conservatories, hallways or garages with a window are suitable for this. Although he likes it bright, he doesn't get by with too much light, especially when it's cooler. The lower the temperature, the less water the oleander needs. In a suitable winter quarters, it hardly needs to be watered. It is only necessary to water when the soil has dried and begins to detach from the edge of the pot. Fertilizer should not be used over the winter.
If you want to prune your oleander generously, now is the right time - before moving into the winter quarters. Find out more about pruning oleanders here.
- From temperatures below -5 °C it is time for the winter quarters
- Hibernation in a bright, cool place with temperatures between 5 and 10 °C
- Water little in winter quarters and do not fertilize
Caring for oleanders after winter
When the days get warmer again, the oleander wants to go outside again as soon as possible - this is usually the case around the end of March. In order not to stress the plant too much, it is best to choose a cloudy day. This way the sun doesn't shine too much and the oleander has some time to get used to its leaves to the high level of radiation and doesn't get sunburnt. It is also an advantage at night if it is overcast, because under a cloud cover the heat that has reached the earth during the day cannot escape so well into space. This prevents sharp drops in temperature and gives the oleander time to adapt to the new conditions.
Just before the end of hibernation you can carry out the routine pruning and training measures. You can find out more about caring for oleanders here.
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