Green Olive Tree
Phillyrea latifolia · Oleaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around green olive tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May), discreet cream-white flowers
- Mature size
- 3.5 to 4 m tall, 2 to 3 m wide
- Growth rate
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -12 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean region (Spain, Italy, Greece)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, alkaline or neutral, drought-tolerant
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Phillyrea latifolia adapts to poor/dry soil and light partial shade. It's a robust Mediterranean shrub.
The common mistake
Giving it too much water or planting it in rich soil: growth becomes leggy, foliage fades, and future drought resistance decreases.
The pro's trick
Plant it in poor conditions (gravel, compacted soil): the bigger it gets, the less it needs from you.
Care
Exposure
Plant your phillyrea in full sun for balanced growth and dense foliage. It tolerates partial shade but prefers well-lit environments. A south or west-facing exposure is ideal in temperate climates.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to promote root establishment. Once established, the plant is very drought-tolerant. During the growing season, let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Soil
Phillyrea appreciates well-drained soil, even if alkaline or stony. It dislikes waterlogging. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel to facilitate drainage.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape. This plant handles pruning well and can be formed into a dense shrub or small tree. Remove dead or crossing branches.
Fertilizer
Minimal feeding is required. In early spring, a balanced fertilizer or well-decomposed compost will encourage growth. Mediterranean soils rich in nutrients often satisfy its nutritional needs.
Pests and diseases
Phillyrea is a robust plant, not very susceptible to common diseases. Watch for excess moisture that could promote root rot. Good drainage and air circulation are enough to protect it.
Did you know?
The broad-leaved phillyrea is a typically Mediterranean shrub that has long been valued in landscaping for its exceptional resilience to droughts and alkaline soils. Its name 'Phillyrea' comes from ancient Greek and even appears in botanical texts from Greco-Roman Antiquity, testifying to its status as a well-known plant since ancient times.
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
- Olive treeOlea europaea
- Wild privetLigustrum vulgare
- LilacSyringa vulgaris
- Green ashFraxinus pennsylvanica
- Narrow-leaved mock privetPhillyrea angustifolia
- California privetLigustrum ovalifolium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.