How do you care for an oleander plant over the winter?

I would like to know if it needs a cool dark place over the winter or a bright window?

How do you care for an oleander plant over the winter?
Keep them in a cool but bright place. My parents live in Texas, and they have oleanders in their back yard (Waco), and they survive the winter. Water them once in a while, but otherwise don't do anything to them until spring.
Reply:I love oleanders!





Sounds like you have one in a container. You don't want the roots to freeze.





Our neighbor cuts their outdoor plants back by half in September or October for the winter. Our winters are usually not colder than in the 20's. But we get lots of cold winds and have a chill factor.





Because of this, if I had one in a container I think I would cut it down near the soil and put it in a cool place such as a workshop. I would cover it with an old rug/blanket/tarp until the spring temps were in the 70's at night.





If in the house, you will need a sunny south facing window. Be aware that they are poisonous.
Reply:Oleanders need sun. Period. At all times of year keep them in as much sun as possible and protected from any frost. Come spring, they should be vigourously pruned back to encourage fresh growth and fertilised as they have a tendancy to become "leggy". If this occours you can with these plants cut them as far back as you like and they will shoot new leaves from the wood, but you will in the event of such heavy pruning forfeit one seasons flower. Avoid overwatering these plants at all costs.