The oleander is an ornamental shrub that blooms for nearly 6 months if the growing conditions are suitable. Frileux, it will have to be wintered in the less privileged regions, this is why a culture in container is appropriate to him well.
Oleander Who are you?
The oleander (Nerium oleander) is a shrub that grows naturally near waterways that dry up in summer from the eastern Mediterranean basin to China. That's why it needs more water than the sellers would have us believe.
White, pink, red, yellow, peach, single or very double flowers, you will be spoiled for choice!
Be careful, all parts of the plant are very toxic if ingested.
How to plant the oleander in a pot?
The laurel is a shrub with strong development. Prefer to install it in a large container where it will have the space to develop well.
- Choose a large enough container with a hole in the bottom;
- Pour a layer of clay balls or gravel equivalent to 20% of the volume of the pot;
- Make a mixture of potting soil, garden soil and compost, add a shovelful of river sand;
- Pour a layer of this mixture into the pot;
- Place your laurel so that its collar is flush with the top of the pot;
- Fill in the gaps around the plant, centering it well;
- Pack around the foot;
- Water.
How to care for a bay tree in a pot?
Place your oleander in a sunny location to ensure maximum flowering. Potted plants can be overwintered in a greenhouse or a veranda if you live in a region where frost is common. Bring your laurel inside as soon as the first frosts arrive in autumn, you can take it out again once the risk of frost is over.
Watering should be regular in summer, especially in hot and dry weather. One or two waterings may be necessary per week. Caution: never let water stagnate in the saucer. Complete the watering by adding fertilizer for flowering plants every 15 days during the growing season.
In winter, give your laurel a rest period by placing it in full light in a relatively cool room (about 10°C). You will then only water it every 15 days.
Pruning the oleander is not mandatory. This shrub produces its flowers on the wood of the previous year, pruning them would certainly allow to obtain a fuller and bushier plant but would compromise the blooming. However, if you must prune it to save space in the winter storage room, prune it in the fall, just after flowering. Clear the center of the plant by cutting off the branches that cross or that are dead. Remove some stems at the base around the plant if necessary to reduce the width. As for the height, try to keep it so that you can enjoy the flowering the following year.
