The yellow oleander is a tropical shrub or small tree, that can be grown in temperate climates as a container plant at a minimum of 5 degC. In nature the plant grows up to a maximum of 2 meters, has narrow leaves with a waxy layer to protect them against drought. The fragrant yellow flowers are about 7 cm in size, and are followed by yellow fruits that become red upon ripening, and black when they are dried. All parts of the plant are very poisonous, and only a few bird species are able to eat the fruits without any ill effects. The toxicity is caused by the substance thevetin, that strongly affects the heart rate. In Mexico a strong dilution of the plant sap is applied to counteract fever, toothache and ulcers, and less diluted as fish poison. The seeds are very elegantly shaped, and are also called ‘lucky nuts’ in Asia.
Sowing description:
Be careful: Seeds are poisonous!
Soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water and sow them in sowing mix. Keep the soil constantly moist, cover it with plastic foil or glass and led the seeds germinate in a warm spot indoors.
Family: Apocynaceae
Scientific name: Thevetia peruviana
Common name: Yellow oleander / Lucky nut
Native to: Tropical America
Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celsius
