Thevetia – Yellow Oleander

🌿Plant Care Guide

📝 Description

At first sight, this shrub is often mistaken for an oleander, which is its most popular relative. Indigenous to tropical america, this plant became known as yellow oleander(thevetia peruviana) to all frost free regions worldwide. In late spring until autumn, it grows funnel shaped, fragrant flowers in yellow, salmon or orange about 5 to 8 cm in size. Inflorescences attract butterflies and scattered flowering occurs the rest of the year. A variety called ‘alba’ features white flowers that contrast well with the lush green foliage. The leaves are lanceolate and often pendulous, with a glossy surface measuring about 15 cm in length. Odd shaped, bulky pods are green at first, turning red and black when ripe. They grow two nut like seeds which readily germinate. The other method of propagation is semi mature cuttings planted in late summer. For the best appearance, the soil should be welldrained and fertile with frequent irrigation. Nevertheless, yellow oleanders take full sun, heat, salinity and even drought. In cultivation, they remain shrubs some 2.3 Metres high, while they may grow as small trees to 6 metres in their homeland or under ideal conditions. In some regions, they are considered invasive. Very common and useful shrubs in gulf regions, they are easy to grow and always have a lush appearance.