Oleander, a typical shrub of the Mediterranean scrub, bright colors and resistance, but be careful of the cold: here’s how to protect it during the winter and keep it healthy even in the harshest months.
It seems almost impossible, but even the most robust plants, such asoleanderthey may have a weak point. Those who have been cultivating it for years know it: the real enemy, sometimes, is not the scorching heat of summer, but the sudden arrival of cold. All it takes is one night of frost and, suddenly, those evergreen branches, full of delicate flowers, risk suffering damage that will drag on until spring. For this reason, many people – from those who only have a balcony to those who look after a large garden – ask themselves the same question every year: how to keep the oleander safe during the winter?
It’s not just an aesthetic issue. The oleander, with its pink, red or white flowers, animates courtyards and driveways across half of Italy, now also in the North. But, as soon as the thermometer drops below zero, a little more attention is needed. One wrong gesture can compromise years of growth, yet the solutions are simpler than you think. You don’t need greenhouses or strange equipment, just a little organization. Maybe on a Sunday morning, with the sky promising the first frost, you find yourself covering the plants with an old blanket or looking for the famous TNT in DIY shops. A small ritual, which is repeated every year.
Oleander in winter: how to really protect it
The key word is prevention. For theoleanderintense cold can be a real risk, especially if the plant lives in a pot or in areas subject to sudden frosts. The most practical solution? Use a tarp Non-woven fabric (TNT), which allows you to cover the oleander without suffocating it. This material, in addition to being breathable and waterproof, protects the plant from extreme temperatures without creating too much humidity. It is easily found in specialized shops and costs little. A quick tip: it’s better to take it a little bigger than the size of the plant, so as to envelop it completely, without leaving any parts uncovered.
However, covering is not always enough. If the oleander grows in a pot, it is best to move it. The ideal would be one closed veranda or even just a well-sheltered corner, away from the wind and with a few hours of light a day. Be careful though: the inside of your home is usually too hot. Better is the landing, or an unheated but bright garage. Often it doesn’t take much to avoid the stress that an abrupt change can cause.
Little trick often forgotten: protect the roots. The real danger, on the coldest nights, is the frost that comes from the ground. To avoid this, you can cover the surface of the vase with bark or chestnut peels, easily available in autumn. Or, for those who want to do things in an even more practical way, just lift the vase off the ground using some old bricks or wooden slats. A gesture that changes everything.
Practical care for oleander during the cold months
Coverage is not enough. In the colder months, theoleander it needs some more attention, perhaps different than the summer ones. First, watering: never overdo it. It is better to wait until the soil is dry, both visually and to the touch, before adding water. Too much humidity encourages fungi and mold, especially if the plant remains still for weeks without full sun.
No less important, the saucer. Watch out for stagnant water: it may seem like a small detail but it is often the cause of many diseases during the winter. Better to check every now and then, perhaps when you stop by for a quick look, between one errand and another. Another small useful gesture is to add fertilizer, even just once, before the most intense cold. It helps the plant grow stronger and survive better in the new location.
If the climate is really harsh and the plant seems to be suffering, it is better to give up the flowers for a season and focus on the health of the shrub. So when spring returns, it will be more vigorous than before. After all, every winter is different. All it takes is a colder than usual December and you find yourself improvising, adapting the rules based on what’s really happening outside the window.
When to bring the oleander back outside
Everything comes back, sooner or later. Thus, even for the oleander, the time has come to come out of “hibernation” and regain its outdoor space. The right time? Usually between April and May, when night temperatures remain stable above 10 degrees. Better not to rush: a backlash from the cold is always possible, especially in the North or in hilly areas.
A useful habit: observe the local weather, perhaps comparing the forecast for an entire week. A few days of sunshine, a walk in the garden with the first coffee in the morning, are enough to understand that yes, it is the right time. And the plant, now accustomed to the shelter, slowly adapts to the new light and cooler wind. Sometimes you need a little patience, nothing more.
Anyone who has lived at least one winter with an oleander knows that, after all, very little is needed to take care of it. A blanket, a handful of bark, a door ajar. And every year, between March and April, we find ourselves hoping that the first flowers will emerge again.
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