Olive tree
Olea europaea · Oleaceae
📷 Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around olive tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, grey-green, lanceolate
- Flowering
- May to June, small discreet white flowers
- Mature size
- 8 m in height, spreading and gnarled habit
- Growth
- Slow but very long-lived (several centuries)
- Hardiness
- Moderate (Mediterranean zones, tolerates −5 to −10 °C depending on variety)
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin (Asia Minor, Middle East)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky, poor to medium
- Production
- Fruits (olives) from 3–4 years, maximum yield after 15 years
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Olives hate stagnant water far more than drought. Whether in pots or in the ground, prioritize sun, air circulation, and flawless drainage.
The common mistake
Watering regularly out of habit encourages root asphyxiation outside Mediterranean climates.
The pro's trick
Let the soil surface dry between waterings and keep the base clear.
Care
Exposure
Your olive tree needs full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day to fruit well and develop good foliage. A south or south-west facing position is ideal in a temperate climate. Avoid overly shaded or windy spots, which slow growth.
Watering
Once established, the olive tree is very drought-resistant thanks to its deep root system. Water regularly for the first two years after planting. In a dry or continental climate, provide water in summer if rain is absent for several weeks.
Soil and drainage
The olive tree prefers well-drained, chalky or neutral soil, poor to medium in nutrients. Excess moisture can cause fungal diseases and root rot. If your soil is heavy, improve drainage by adding sand or gravel at planting time.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to maintain a balanced shape and open up the centre. Remove dead or crossing branches. A rejuvenation pruning can be carried out every 3 to 5 years on older specimens.
Fertilising
The olive tree needs little fertiliser on decent soil. Add organic matter (compost, well-rotted manure) in spring every 2 to 3 years. In a pot or very depleted soil, a balanced application of trace elements can improve fruiting.
Pests and diseases
The olive tree is generally robust. Watch out for alternaria (dark spots on leaves in excessive moisture) and the olive fruit fly. Scale insects can infest in warm climates. Prefer preventive treatments: good air circulation, optimal drainage, and removal of debris.
Did you know?
The olive tree is the tree of Mediterranean civilisations for more than 3,000 years. A symbol of peace, wisdom and longevity, an olive tree can live for over 1,000 years, with some specimens exceeding 2,000 years. This biblical tree remains a gastronomic treasure: its olives and oil have shaped the cultures of the Mediterranean basin.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Wild privetLigustrum vulgare
- LilacSyringa vulgaris
- Green ashFraxinus pennsylvanica
- Narrow-leaved mock privetPhillyrea angustifolia
- California privetLigustrum ovalifolium
- Green Olive TreePhillyrea latifolia
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.