Oleanders aren’t naturally winter-hardy, so the rule of thumb is to always move them to a frost-free spot once the chilly weather hits. But what happens if you were a little late moving your pots and your oleander is already looking a bit rough from the cold? Is there still hope? Let’s break it down.
Oleanders Aren’t Big Fans of the Cold
Since oleanders originally hail from tropical and warmer climates, they really aren’t built for freezing temperatures. Snow and ice are especially tough on them. Once temperatures drop to around 23°F (-5°C) for an extended period, your plant can suffer some pretty serious damage. To play it safe, you should move your oleander to its winter quarters as soon as the thermometer starts hovering near freezing.
Keep an Eye on Those Nighttime Temps
Don’t let a sunny afternoon fool you! Even if it feels mild during the day, temperatures can plummet the moment the sun goes down. Nighttime frost is often the culprit behind unexpected plant damage, so stay vigilant when the forecast calls for clear, cold nights.
Identifying Frost Damage
If you didn’t get your plant inside in time or didn’t provide enough protection while wintering it outdoors, frost damage can show up fast. Whether your oleander is a total loss or can still be saved depends entirely on which parts of the plant were hit. You’ll need to figure out:
- Is the damage only on the “above-ground” parts (leaves and stems)?
- Or did the frost reach all the way down to the roots?
If Only the Branches and Leaves are Frozen
If the damage is limited to the branches, stems, and leaves, there’s actually a great chance your oleander will bounce back! Go ahead and prune away any brown, frozen sections. If it looks really bad, don’t be afraid to do a hard prune, cutting the whole plant back to just a few inches above the soil. It will eventually sprout new growth from the base and regenerate. Just be sure to give it a little extra love in the spring with some fertilizer to provide the nutrients it needs to regrow strong.
If the Roots are Frozen
Unfortunately, if the root ball itself has frozen solid, it’s usually game over. The roots are the life support system of the plant; once they’re gone, the plant can’t recover. If the roots are mushy or completely dead from the cold, it’s time to head to the compost pile and start fresh next season.
