How to prune Nerium oleander

For an oleander, remove dead, damaged or frost-damaged branches and selected basal suckers. Use light pruning rather than shearing.

Plant coveredNerium oleanderOleander · outdoor garden

Identify the plant part and the reason for removing it

Choose what to remove

Remove dead, damaged or frost-damaged branches, shoots from the base, and selected old wood. Use regular light pruning instead of indiscriminate shearing.

Pruning controls shape and structure, removes damaged growth, and helps maintain flowering by managing suckers and old wood.

Decide whether to prune now or wait

Prune at the right time

Light pruning can follow flowering, while late-winter or spring pruning is used before new growth. Avoid pruning after early fall when it would remove next season’s buds.

Cut only the selected part

Make one clean cut

Thin selected branches and remove young basal suckers. The University of Arizona table specifically says to remove old wood and not shear the shrub.

Stop when the pruning goal is met

When pruning will not help

Watch the cut and new growth before pruning again

Care for the plant after pruning

Sources