How Big Does Purple Oleander Grow?

Size

• Purple oleander has leathery, pointed-oval leaves and produces extremely fragrant, showy purple flowers at branch tips from summer into fall. The most common form of purple oleander grows as a rounded, upright shrub with stiff stems that resemble canes. At maturity, it reaches a height of 6 to 12 feet, with an equal spread, although regular pruning can keep a plant smaller. More compact, dwarf varieties also exist, including one called "Petit Pink," which only becomes about 4 feet tall and has pinkish-purple flowers.

Pruning

• Although purple oleander naturally develops a pleasing shape, it can become a bit leggy over time if unpruned. Late fall is the best time for pruning, after blooming is finished, because this schedule won't interfere with flowering the following season. To help develop a full, bushy form and keep the plant's size in check, cut branches back by about one third. If you prefer a taller, more tree-like shape, you can prune away all but one or two main branches on a young plant, then allow several side branches that appear partway up the trunk to grow, removing all others. Cutting away any new shoots that develop near the plant's base helps the plant stay tree-like, while trimming tips on higher branches promotes a bushy canopy. Always sterilize pruning shears with bleach or rubbing alcohol before use and between plants to prevent the spread of disease.

Site Selection

• Purple oleander is a tough plant that tolerates harsh conditions and poor soil. A moderate-to-fast grower, it thrives in either full sun or partial shade, although too much shade may slow its growth and promote a thin, more leggy shape. The plant also can withstand light frost, although it might sustain some damage to its foliage and young branches. In the colder parts of its range, a warm site near a south- or west-facing building, or on a slope where cold air drains away to lower parts of the landscape, can help protect it from cold. Even if the upper parts of an oleander die back from cold, the roots usually survive and re-grow in spring, although you may need to prune new growth to re-shape the plant.

Soil

• Purple oleander grows well in any type of garden soil, although it prefers good drainage and can grow poorly in soil that stays wet for long periods. It also tolerates drought quite well once established, but does best when given extra water during dry spells for its first few seasons. Purple oleander is susceptible to several fungal disorders, such as sooty mold and witches' broom, but these can be prevented by choosing a spot with good air circulation, clearing debris from under the plant often and watering with a soaker hose to keep foliage dry. All parts of oleander are toxic to humans and animals, so it isn't a good choice for a spot where small children or pets could ingest the plant.