Generally speaking, oleanders aren’t fans of the cold. Since they aren’t naturally winter-hardy, you’ll usually need to move them to a cozy indoor spot once the frost starts to bite. However, in a few specific cases, you might be able to get away with keeping your oleander outside through the winter.
Oleanders and Freezing Temps Don’t Mix
Oleanders originally hail from warm, sunny climates, so they really don’t handle sub-zero temperatures well. If things stay below 25°F (-5°C) for an extended period, your plant could suffer some serious damage. That’s why it’s so important to move your oleander to a proper wintering spot when the frost hits. You’re looking for a place that’s bright and cool, but definitely stays above freezing.
Can You Leave Your Oleander Outside?
In most parts of the country, our snowy, freezing winters don’t leave oleanders with much of a fighting chance. You should only try to winter your oleander outdoors if:
- You live in a region with very mild, short winters.
- You use extra protective gear to shield it from the cold.
- The plant is an older, more established specimen.
- It’s an oleander in a container; plants actually in the ground are much harder to protect.
Extra Protection Against the Chill
If you’re braving an outdoor winter, you’ve got to give your oleander some backup. Move the pot to a sheltered spot right against the wall of your house and set it on a styrofoam or wooden board to insulate it from the cold ground. Then, wrap the pot in specialized winter fleece or slip a burlap sack over the entire plant to keep it snug.
Winter Care Tips
Oleanders are notoriously thirsty plants, and you never want that root ball to dry out completely—even in the off-season. This means you’ll need to keep watering your oleander through the winter. Just make sure you only water on days when it’s above freezing so the water can actually reach the roots instead of turning into an ice block!
What if My Oleander Freezes?
If the winter gets too harsh or your protection wasn’t quite enough, your plant might suffer from frostbite. If only the leaves and branches above ground look frozen, don’t panic! Oleanders are pretty resilient and can often sprout back from the base. However, if the freeze reaches the roots and they die off, your plant likely won’t be making a comeback in the spring.
