Oleander

Nerium oleander

Common Landscape Shrub in Florida
Cardiac Toxin

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

all parts, including dried leaves, stems, sap, and smoke from burning plant material

Preparation

not applicable: no amount or preparation makes this plant safe to eat; the cardiac glycosides are not destroyed by cooking or drying

Hazard type

fatal poisoning (ingestion), skin/eye irritation from sap

Hazard route

ingestion; skin/eye contact with sap; inhalation of smoke from burning plant material

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is complete as far as our sources go. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Toxic to pets

Toxic principle: cardiac glycosides (notably oleandrin). ASPCA-listed clinical signs: drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, death. Every part of the plant is toxic, including dried leaves and stems, and even the smoke from burning oleander clippings has caused poisoning: clippings and prunings should never be burned or composted where animals or people could be exposed.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grown outdoors roughly 8b-11 (cold-sensitive; common in Florida and Gulf Coast landscaping).
Mature size: Typically 6-12 feet tall and wide as a landscape shrub; some cultivars are smaller or can be trained as a small tree.
Family: Apocynaceae (dogbane family)
Where it comes from: Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia; widely cultivated as an ornamental hedge and landscape shrub in warm climates, including Florida.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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