Oleander...is it really poisonous?

United States
March 31, 2007 10:53pm CST
I love Oleander, it looks so tropical and beautiful. I wanted to put some in my yard, but someone told me that it was very poisonous for animals to be around. We have cows and also pets that roam our yard.
1 person likes this
2 responses
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (169556)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Oleander blooms - Oleander is a shrubby plant, with blooms of white through red. Leaves are long, slender and glossy.
My mom had oleander in tubs for many years. We took them in and out of the garage seasonally to prevent freezing. The fragrance is heavenly, but it is poisonous. I do not think pets would eat it. It never affected our cats. I would ask a county extension agent about cattle. The fragrance is heavenly. There are lots of classic murder mysteries that involve the victims being given oleander disguised in food. In California when I lived there, the plants were everywhere.
2 people like this
applsofgld
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I think it is a most beautiful tropical looking plant/flower. I haven't smelled the blooms yet, mine didn't make it through the winter. But I may buy another one and try again. It must be the leaves that have the poison in them.
applsofgld
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I never thought to plant them in pots for the porch. Maybe this would solve my racoon problem too!
Yestheypayme2dothis
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Oleander is extremely poisonous. I would not want any around if I had children or animals.
1 person likes this
applsofgld
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I just learned that azaleas too are poisonous, I did not realize that either. And so many people around here have them too. Thanks for sharing with me.