When Can You Transplant an Oleander Bush?

Planting Time

• The recommended time to transplant an oleander is just after blooming time and no later than September, as suggested by the International Oleander Society. Though oleanders are hardy shrubs that require little care after establishment, ensuring that the soil and site are suited to plant needs increases survivability and improves growth after transplanting.

Site and Soil

• Select an area in full sun for transplanting oleander. Although the shrub also adapts to shade, blooming is affected in low-light sites. The plant adapts to a range of soil types including dry sand, wet clay or alkaline. Amend sandy soils with organic material such as peat moss to improve texture and water retention properties. Water regularly when growing in dry sand to maintain optimal growth. Avoid planting in very windy sites as this damages flowers and flower buds. Shrubs planted in coastal gardens are likely to suffer salt damage in the form of leaf tip browning.

Care Before Planting

• It is recommended to let the plant get accustomed to the new environmental conditions in the landscape prior to transplanting. These conditions are likely to differ extremely from those at the nursery. Let the plants stay in their containers for several days before removal. Water the shrubs regularly to keep the soil moist and keep out of direct sun.

Planting Suggestions

• When digging the planting hole, make sure it is two to three times as wide as the root ball and only as deep as the container in which the plant is growing. Handle balled and burlapped plants carefully to avoid unnecessary root damage. Cut the root mass from the bottom to half the depth of the root ball as this promotes healthy root growth and spread. Use original soil for backfilling the planting hole. If soil is amended with organic material, make sure this material comprises only a third of the total removed soil.