Oleander, popularly known as Kaner in India, is one of the most attractive, hardy, drought-tolerant flowering plants you can grow at home. With its vibrant blooms in pink, yellow, white, and red, Kaner adds instant beauty to any garden, balcony, or terrace. The best part? You don’t need to buy new plants every time—you can multiply your oleander plants easily through cuttings!

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to grow oleander/kaner from cuttings step by step, including the best time to take cuttings, soil mix, rooting method, aftercare tips, and update results—just like a full gardening video tutorial.

Why Propagate Oleander From Cuttings?

Growing oleander from cuttings has several advantages:

Fast growth compared to seeds
Identical flowers to the parent plant
High success rate
Cost-free propagation
Blooms faster than seed-grown plants

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this method is super simple and highly effective.

Best Time to Take Oleander Cuttings

For maximum success, take cuttings during:

Early Summer (April–June)
Monsoon Season (July–September)

Oleander is an evergreen shrub, so you can technically propagate it anytime, but warm months encourage faster root growth.

Types of Cuttings You Can Use

Oleander can be propagated using:

Semi-hardwood cuttings (best choice)

6–8 inches long
Flexible but not too soft

Softwood cuttings

Tender, green, very fast to root
Must prevent fungal infections

Hardwood cuttings

Thick, woody stems
Root slower but still work

For beginners, semi-hardwood is the easiest and most successful.

Materials You Will Need

Before you start, keep these items ready:

Healthy oleander plant
Clean pruning shears
A 6–8 inch cutting
Light and airy potting mix
Rooting hormone (optional but helpful)
Small pot or plastic bottle
Transparent polybag for humidity

Step-by-Step: How to Take the Perfect Cutting

Choose a healthy branch that is disease-free.
Cut 6–8 inches of stem just below the node.
Remove the lower leaves, keeping only 2–3 leaves at the top.
If the cutting has flowers or buds, remove them.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional but increases success 40–50%).

TIP: Make sure your cutting tool is disinfected to avoid infections.

Best Soil Mix for Fast Rooting

Oleander roots best in a light, well-draining mix. Use:

Option 1 (Best for beginners):

50% Cocopeat
30% River Sand
20% Garden Soil

Option 2 (Fastest rooting):

70% Sand
30% Cocopeat

Avoid heavy clay soil—it suffocates the cuttings.

Planting the Oleander Cutting

Make a small hole in the soil using a pencil.
Insert the cutting 2–3 inches deep.
Firm the soil around it to remove air pockets.
Water lightly—just enough to keep soil moist, not soggy.

Creating a Greenhouse Effect

To increase rooting speed:

Cover the pot with a transparent polybag
Ensure small air holes to prevent fungal growth
Keep in bright, indirect sunlight (never direct)

This mini greenhouse traps humidity and encourages faster root development.

Watering Routine

For successful rooting:

Keep soil lightly moist
Never overwater
Mist instead of pouring water

Water only when the top layer feels dry.

Light Conditions

While rooting:

Keep in shade or indirect light
Avoid full sun

After roots develop (4–6 weeks):

Gradually shift to direct morning sunlight
Eventually, oleander can handle full sun easily

Common Problems & How to Fix Them

Leaves turning yellow

Too much water.
Reduce watering

Cutting turning black

Fungal infection.
Use fungicide
Improve air circulation

No root growth

Wrong season or heavy soil.
Try during warm months
Use sandy mix

Update Timeline (Just Like an Update Video)

Week 1 – Initial Cutting

Cutting looks fresh
Leaves stay green
No visible roots yet

Tip: Keep the humidity high.

Week 2 – Swelling at the Base

Base becomes slightly thick
Internal root activity begins

Tip: Don’t disturb the cutting!

Week 3–4 – Root Growth Begins

Roots start forming
Light resistance when you tug gently

Tip: This is the most crucial time.

Avoid sunlight and overwatering.

Week 5–6 – Visible Growth

New leaves appear
Cutting becomes firm
It’s ready for repotting

Tip: Shift to a 6–8 inch pot with soil mix:

50% garden soil
25% compost
25% sand

Week 8–10 – Strong Plant Development

More leaves
Strong branching
Faster growth

Tip: Add seaweed fertilizer or diluted NPK 19-19-19 every 15 days.

2–3 Months – Final Update

Your oleander cutting is now:

1–1.5 feet tall
Bushy and healthy
Ready to bloom during the next flowering season

Oleander usually starts flowering within 6–12 months of propagation.

Fertilizer Guide for Oleander

Use fertilizers carefully because the plant grows fast.

Monthly Organic Feed:

Compost
Vermicompost
Cow dung manure

Chemical Fertilizer (every 20–25 days):

NPK 19-19-19 (half teaspoon per liter)

Bloom Booster (During flowering season):

NPK 0-52-34 or
Bone meal (once in 45 days)

Important Safety Note

Oleander is toxic if ingested.

So always:

Wear gloves when handling
Keep away from pets and children
Wash hands after touching

Final Tips for Fast Growth

Give 4–6 hours of sunlight daily
Prune lightly to encourage branching
Repot every year
Keep soil well-draining

With the right care, your oleander will reward you with clusters of beautiful blooms throughout the year.

Conclusion

Growing Oleander/Kaner from cuttings is one of the easiest and most rewarding gardening projects you can do at home. With simple materials, basic care, and the update timeline provided, you can turn a single plant into multiple flowering shrubs.

If you’re shooting a gardening video or blog, this method gives excellent before-after updates and eye-catching results.

Bhakti Shakti Garden