Oleander

Nerium oleander

Aries

Boundaries, Illusion

Oleander are flowering shrubs that grow in warm and subtropical areas. The 5-petal flowers bloom in spring and continue into the fall, growing in clusters of white, yellow, purple, pink or red. In contrast, the pointed leaves are long (up to 7 inches) and narrow (less than 1 inch) and are a deep green. The plants grow from 6 to 12 feet tall and are about the same width. They can grow from 1 to 2 feet a year. Oleander typically grow in mounds but can be trained to grow as trees.

Oleanders like full sun and well-drained soil but will adapt to other soil conditions. Once established, plants tolerate heat, drought, salt spray and wind. Cuttings from Oleander can be grown in water before planting or grown in soil. Oleander can also be grown from seed.

Plants are native to North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean areas. Oleander was introduced to Florida in the 1500s and grows in North American temperate areas. It can be damaged by the cold.

All parts of the plants are toxic to animals and people. Sap from Oleander causes skin irritation. If plants are burned, the smoke is also toxic. 

Oleander flowers have 5 petals. The angelic meaning of the number 5 is that positive life changes are present, and to be optimistic about current conditions to create positive future conditions. 

Oleander's poisonous qualities show you how to set boundaries. You can meditate using the image of Oleander flowers or call on the energy of Oleander if you have the need to set limits on your time, space or resources. It also helps to teach how to set limits on our emotions and how to effectively detangle emotions of others from our happiness.

Oleander shows us the power of illusion. On the surface, Oleander is an ornamental plant that is very tolerant of growing conditions in warm regions. The idea that Oleander is only an ornamental plant is an illusion, as it really is a poisonous plant. It shows us that people can present themselves as "ornamental" when they are really much more complicated. Oleander teaches us to look beyond the face value of a person and beyond what they say (the illusion) to the qualities the person embodies, to their true nature. Conversely, Oleander teaches us about the illusion that life is the whole of our reality, when the universal reality is that we are powerful souls who have a long history and a long, evolving future.  

Oleander has been used for heart conditions, asthma, cancer, and other conditions. It contains chemicals that can slow the heart rate. 

Common names for Oleander include Kaner, Rosebay and Rose Laurel.