Compare plants.

Oleander and Naio: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Oleander Nerium oleander	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Naio Myoporum sandwicense
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Europe and Asia	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Well-drained soil; moist to occasionally dry	Dry soil
Mature height
5–19½ ft	Under 2 to over 50 ft, by form
Mature spread
6–10 ft	Spread varies by form
USDA hardiness zones
8–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring–summer flowers	Intermittent flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	Established naio provides native evergreen structure with little supplemental water.
Growing notes
A large evergreen flowering shrub. All parts are highly poisonous if eaten.	Select the mature form before buying: groundcovers, shrubs, and trees differ greatly. Needs full sun and drainage.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.