When Can I Put My Oleander Plants Back Outside?

Deadly Attractive

• Before you even consider putting your oleander back outside, make sure you aren't planning on putting it in a location where children or pets have easy access to it. Oleanders are highly toxic, according to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension -- so much so that death may occur if part of the plant is ingested. All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the flowers, leaves, twigs and seeds. Even brief skin contact with the plant may cause a rash, and even the smoke from burning oleanders is toxic. Honey made from bees that feed on oleander is also toxic. Oleander is considered invasive in some areas where it is not a native plant.

Climate Concerns

• Oleanders are very tough. They line highways -- thriving in pollution -- and can adapt to other adverse conditions. One thing they don't like, however, is prolonged exposure to cold, which can damage the evergreen foliage. Cultivars vary a bit in their hardiness. Although oleander plants are hardy in USDA zone 8 -- which has temperatures that can dip to 10 degrees Fahrenheit -- they don't prefer such conditions. In fact, oleander plants grow best in warm, humid climates, according to Floridata, which is why many home gardeners in cooler climates choose to grow them in containers and bring them indoors before the cold weather of winter arrives.

Tricky Temperatures

• Although oleanders can tolerate freezing temperatures, container plants should be brought in when temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall. Until then, leave the plants outdoors as long as possible -- oleanders grow best when they are overwintered for only a short period of time, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the spring, set the oleanders out again when low temperatures warm back up to above freezing.

Ideal Conditions

• Oleander does have its preferences. It grows best in full sun or part shade, and in-grown plants thrive in average, medium soil. Container plants, on the other hand, prefer rich, moist soil with good drainage, so make sure the container has holes in the bottom to allow the water to drain out. Water only after the soil has dried to the touch. Established plants can tolerate drought conditions. To maintain the attractive appearance of the plant, home gardeners should deadhead -- very carefully -- to prevent seed pods from forming.