After a long winter break, your oleander is probably itching to get back outside! But before you drag those pots onto the patio, you’ll want to help them acclimate to the fresh air slowly. Here are my favorite tips for waking up your oleander and getting it ready for a gorgeous summer season.
The “Last In, First Out” Rule
When it comes to overwintering oleander, I always follow one simple rule: bring them inside as late as possible in the fall and get them back outside as early as possible in the spring. Even though oleanders aren’t fully cold-hardy, they are much happier in the fresh air than they are stuck inside a stuffy room.
When is the Right Time to Move Outside?
There isn’t one “magic date” on the calendar because it all depends on your local weather—especially those nighttime lows.
As a general rule of thumb, if your oleander spent the winter in a cool spot (around 40-45°F), it can usually handle moving out a bit earlier, often in April. However, if your plant spent the winter in a warmer room, wait until mid-May. Warm-wintered plants often start pushing out tender new growth early, and those delicate new shoots can get zapped by a surprise late-spring chill.
Avoid “Sunburn” by Acclimating Slowly
Imagine spending all winter in a dark basement and then immediately stepping onto a bright beach—you’d get a sunburn, right? Your oleander feels the same way! Even if the spring sun doesn’t feel super hot yet, those UV rays can actually scorch the leaves if the plant isn’t used to them.
To keep your plant healthy, gradually introduce it to its outdoor spot over the course of a week or two.
Pick a Cloudy Day
Pro tip: The best time to move your plants out is actually on a cloudy or even a drizzly day. The lower UV levels give the oleander a chance to adjust to the “real world” without the stress of direct, harsh sunlight right away.
Watch Out for Late Frost
Keep a close eye on the weather forecast during those first few weeks of spring. If a frost warning pops up, don’t panic! Just wrap your oleander in some burlap, frost fleece, or even a bit of bubble wrap for the night to keep it cozy until the sun comes back up.
Post-Winter Aftercare
Once your plant is settled back outside, it’s time to kickstart the growing season. Proper care after winter should focus on:
- Hydration: Make sure it’s getting plenty of water as it wakes up.
- Nutrition: Give it a good dose of fertilizer to fuel all that new green growth and upcoming blooms.
