Friday, November 18, 2011

Can oleander be grown indoors?

Next to a bright window? Any other suggestions?

Can oleander be grown indoors?
I've never heard of anyone growing an oleander inside. I suppose there is always a first!


The oleander is quite a large bush which requires full direct sunlight for most of the day inorder for it to flower. There are dwarf varieties which could be used inside.


If you have small children, I would be very careful as the sap of the plant is highly toxic.


I would recommend that you visit your local nursery and speak to one of the garden staff who will be able to recommend a more appropriate indoor plant.
Reply:Caution, Oleander is very poisonous and should NOT be grown indoors if there is a risk of animals or children ( or adults) chewing the leaves.


Ther wise, they like it bright and hot!
Reply:The oleander plant is highly poisonus..not just the leaves..stalk leaves berries flowers are all toxic to animals and humans..One berry off of a plant can literaly kill a horse...





Centuries later, in the 1633 edition of "The Herbal, or General History of Plants", the author John Gerard says of oleander: "This tree being outwardly applied, as Galen saith, hath a digesting faculty; but if it be inwardly taken it is deadly and poisonsome, not only to men, but also to most kinds of beasts. The flowers and leaves kill dogs, asses, mules, and very many of other four footed beasts: but if men drink them in wine they are a remedy against the bitings of Serpents, and the rather if Rue be added. The weaker sort of cattle, as sheep and goats, if they drink the water wherein the leaves have been steeped, are sure to die." which indicates knowledge that the raw plant is poisonous, but that extracts of the plant were used medicinally. An oleander extract much like the home remedy known as "oleander soup" is most likely the magic healing potion that led to the witchcraft accusation against Rebecca, the beautiful Jewish woman from the Holy Land, in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe".


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