How do I propagate my Oleander?

The Oleander olive tree is a real beauty, and in summer it is hard to take your eyes off it. If you have ever been to the Mediterranean you will almost certainly recognise this eye-catcher, because that is where the Oleander originally comes from. It is a fan of stony, dry ground, and although this plant is not thirsty, the Oleander comes into glorious flower from summer right through into late autumn!

What do you need to propagate an Oleander?

There are two ways to propagate an Oleander: by taking cuttings and by dividing the plant. To make it a success you will need a few things to hand. First of all an Oleander, of course, and then sharp, clean scissors or a knife. You also need to decide up front whether your baby Oleander is going into water or into soil. If the cutting goes into water, you need a glass of lukewarm water, ideally a clear one. If it goes into soil, you need a small pot of your choice with some potting soil.

Contact with the Oleander can cause skin irritation, so we would recommend wearing gloves while you take your cuttings.

The Oleander cutting

The best time to take Oleander cuttings is at the end of summer, when the plant is in full flower. Taking an Oleander cutting is not very difficult and the success rate is quite high, but you will need plenty of patience! Cut a stem from the side of the plant and put it in water or in potting soil. Potting soil is the better option, but if you like watching your Oleander grow, water works just as well!

Caring for the Oleander cutting

Once you have your cutting, put it in the sun and make sure the soil stays moist. If your cutting is in potting soil, a lightly moist soil is more than enough! Keep the cutting somewhere warm and sunny, and then it is time to wait. It can take up to 2 months before the cutting takes root!

Another way to propagate

The method above is the best one for the Oleander: you do not damage the roots and the mother plant carries on growing happily. You can also propagate an Oleander by dividing it. Depending on the size of the plant, you will need a few strong pairs of hands to manage it. You split the plant in two, after which you can pot up both halves separately. Dividing the plant often breaks the roots, and the Oleander then needs time to recover. If the roots are damaged too badly, the plant may not come into flower again the following season.