Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Dwarf Red Oleander
Dwarf Red Oleander is a compact, evergreen oleander with red flowers from spring through fall. It usually stays about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, so it fits low hedges, patios and beds along the house. It takes full sun and reflected heat, and it needs little water once rooted. It gives you oleander color where a full-size one would be too big.
Best for: low hedges, patios and entries, large pots, and hot beds along walls and driveways.
Plant about 3 to 4 feet apart for a low hedge or border. It stays about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, so it gives a low screen with color.
Its small size suits patios, entryways and large containers. Use a pot with a drainage hole and water when the top of the soil dries.
It takes full sun and the reflected heat off walls and paving. Red flowers open from spring through fall, heaviest from April to September.
Every part is poisonous, so keep it away from play areas and pet runs. Oleander leaf scorch has no cure and can kill a plant over a few years.
- Low hedge3-4 ft apart
- Tighter low hedge3 ft apart
Water a new plant every day or two for the first two weeks in summer, easing to about once a week by the second month. Once rooted, give deep soaks from spring through fall for the most flowers. In winter it needs little or no extra water.
Prune in late February to early March, cutting it to whatever height you want. Wear gloves and long sleeves, since the sap can irritate skin.
Browning leaf edges that start on one branch in summer can be leaf scorch. Check that the soil is not dry or salty first. There is no cure, so remove a plant that keeps declining.
Every part of oleander is poisonous. Wear gloves when you prune, keep clippings away from pets and kids, and bag them for the trash instead of burning them.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does dwarf red oleander get?
It usually stays about 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, and most plants sit around 4 to 5 feet. Prune in late February to early March to keep it at the height you want.
Is dwarf red oleander poisonous?
Yes. Every part is poisonous to people, dogs, cats and horses, and the sap can irritate skin. Plant it away from play areas and pet runs, and wear gloves when you prune.
How far apart should I plant dwarf oleander?
For a low hedge, plant about 3 to 4 feet apart center to center. Use 3 feet if you want it to close in sooner. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your row.
When does dwarf red oleander bloom?
Red flowers open from spring through fall, heaviest from April to September. Keep it in full sun for the most flowers.
Can I grow dwarf oleander in a pot?
Yes. Its small size suits containers, patios and entryways. Use a pot with a drainage hole and water when the top of the soil dries.
Can dwarf oleander take reflected heat?
Yes. It takes full sun and the reflected heat off walls and paving. Plant it along a hot wall or driveway where other shrubs struggle.
How much water does dwarf oleander need?
Water a new plant often for the first weeks, then taper to about weekly. Once rooted, give deep soaks from spring through fall and little or no water in winter.
How cold can dwarf oleander take?
It is hardy to about 20°F. A hard freeze can burn the tips, and it grows back. Trim off the damage in late February or early March.
What does oleander leaf scorch look like?
Leaf edges yellow, then brown, often on one branch first in summer. Rule out dry or salty soil first. There is no cure, so remove a plant that keeps declining.
Can I burn oleander clippings?
No. The smoke from burning oleander is toxic. Bag the clippings for the trash instead.
Is dwarf red oleander messy?
It drops a moderate amount of litter. Plan on some sweeping when it grows next to a pool, patio or entry.
Can dwarf red oleander bother allergies?
Yes. Its pollen can bother people with allergies.
Dwarf Red Oleander for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Dwarf red oleander gives the red flowers and heat tolerance of oleander on a shrub that stays about 4 to 5 feet tall. This page covers its size, spacing, water, pruning, frost and safe handling.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does dwarf red oleander get?
Plan for about 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, with most plants around 4 to 5 feet. It is easy to keep lower with a trim in late February or early March.
How far apart to plant dwarf oleander
For a low hedge, plant about 3 to 4 feet apart center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your row.
Dwarf oleander for pots and patios
Its small size suits containers, patios and entryways. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Dwarf oleander for reflected heat
It takes full sun and the reflected heat off walls, driveways and paving. It is a flowering option for hot strips along the house.
How often to water dwarf oleander in Arizona
Once rooted, give it deep soaks from spring through fall and little or no water in winter. New plants need water often for the first few weeks.
Is dwarf oleander poisonous?
Yes. Every part of oleander is poisonous to people and pets. Plant it away from play areas and pet runs, and wear gloves when you prune.
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