Oleanders aren’t naturally winter-hardy, which means once the thermometer starts dipping below freezing, it’s time to get them into a cozy winter home. Because they need this extra protection, growing your oleander in a pot or container is definitely the way to go—it makes moving them so much easier!
Oleanders and the Cold
Since oleanders hail from the sunny Mediterranean, they aren’t built for harsh winters. Once temperatures hit about 23°F (-5°C), these beauties can suffer serious frost damage. To keep yours happy and healthy, you’ll need to know the right way to overwinter them.
Your Options for Winter Storage
Because most of us grow oleanders in pots due to their sensitivity, you can simply move the whole container when the seasons change. Generally, you have two choices:
- If you live somewhere with very mild winters, you might get away with keeping them outside.
- For most of us, finding a proper indoor winter shelter is a must.
Keeping Oleanders Outside
If your local winter is exceptionally mild, you can try overwintering them outdoors. If you go this route, tuck the plant against a protective house wall or under a roof overhang. Place the pot on an insulating base—like wood or Styrofoam—to block the rising ground chill. You should also wrap both the pot and the plant itself in bubble wrap or specialized garden fleece.
Just a heads-up: this isn’t the standard method and is risky unless your winters are very light. If a real cold snap hits, move the plant inside immediately! Otherwise, the frost won’t just damage the leaves; it can freeze the roots, which is usually game over for the plant.
Moving to a Winter Shelter
When consistent freezing temps are in the forecast, it’s time to move your oleander to a dedicated winter spot. The golden rule? Keep it frost-free, ideally right around 40°F (5°C). This cool temperature allows the oleander to go into a dormant “rest mode,” saving its energy for a big growth spurt come spring.
The best part about using a shelter is that you can just set the pot down and forget the heavy wrapping. As long as the room stays at the right temperature, your oleander will be perfectly safe until the sun comes back out!
