Oleanders aren’t naturally winter-hardy, which means they need a cozy, frost-free spot to ride out the cold months. But before you go dragging your heavy pots into the living room, there are a few things you should know. We’re breaking down why your lounge isn’t the best winter home for these Mediterranean beauties and what you should do instead.
Oleanders and Freezing Temps
Oleanders are pretty sensitive to the cold. Once temperatures drop below 23°F (-5°C) for an extended period, your plant can suffer some pretty serious frost damage. To keep your green thumb reputation intact, you’ll need a solid plan for overwintering your oleander safely.
Why Your Living Room Isn’t Ideal
Winter isn’t just about surviving the cold for an oleander; it’s about getting some much-needed “beauty sleep.” During this dormant phase, the plant slows down its growth so it can save up energy to explode with new leaves and blooms come spring. To trigger this nap, the plant needs cool temperatures—ideally right around 40°F (5°C).
Since most of us keep our homes much warmer than that, the living room isn’t exactly a five-star resort for a dormant plant. Sure, your oleander will stay warm and frost-free, but it won’t get the message that it’s time to rest.
The result? Your plant won’t die, but it’ll keep growing and pushing out new shoots and leaves all winter long. While that might sound like a good thing, those “winter shoots” are usually weak and leggy. Plus, when you finally move the plant back outside in the spring, those tender new bits are incredibly sensitive and can be damaged by even a light chill.
So, while you *can* keep them in the house in a total emergency, it’s definitely not the best move for a healthy, vibrant plant next season.
Better Ways to Keep Them Cozy
Because of that dormancy factor, you should really only use your living room as a last resort. Instead, try to find a spot that hits that “cool but not freezing” sweet spot. Your best bets are:
- A dedicated unheated (but frost-free) space like a garage, shed, or bright basement.
- If you live in a region with very mild winters, you might even be able to manage overwintering outdoors with the right protection.
