Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Olive Tree

Olea europaea

An iconic Mediterranean tree with silvery evergreen foliage, suitable for container growing in cooler regions.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

30–50 %
Temperature

5–35 °C

How to care for your Olive Tree

Everything you need to keep your Olive Tree healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The olive tree is a millennia-old tree that embodies Mediterranean culture. Its gnarled, twisted trunk, silvery evergreen foliage, and elegant silhouette make it a majestic ornamental tree. In containers, it can live for many years but requires indoor overwintering in regions with harsh winters, while still needing a cold period to fruit. Its slow growth and great longevity make it a remarkable plant investment.

Watering your Olive Tree

Every 7 days

Water deeply then allow the substrate to dry out completely. Olive trees are highly drought-tolerant once established. In pots, water when the substrate is dry at 3–4 cm depth.

How to know it needs water

Substrate dry deep down
Leaves beginning to roll inward
Pot feels very light

How much light a Olive Tree needs

Full sun

Full sun essential, at least 6–8 hours of direct light per day. Indoors, place in front of the brightest possible window.

Direct sun tolerated: 6 to 10 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-east, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

30–50 %

30–50% No misting necessary. The olive tree prefers dry air and good air circulation, as in its natural Mediterranean habitat.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize from April to September. In pots, a monthly application is recommended as nutrients leach more quickly. Prioritize a potassium-rich fertilizer for fruiting.

Recommended feed: Specialist citrus/olive fertilizer or balanced organic fertilizer. · 3-1-2

Repotting your Olive Tree

Every 24 months

Use a very draining blend: compost + coarse sand + gravel. A terracotta pot is ideal. Do not bury the root collar. Lightly root-prune at repotting time.

When: Spring (March–April)
Potting mix: Citrus potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coarse sand, pine bark

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from the pot
Stagnant growth
Substrate completely colonised by roots

Pruning your Olive Tree

In late winter (February–March) before new growth resumes. Light maintenance pruning possible in summer after flowering. Remove dead wood and crossing branches. Open up the centre of the canopy to allow light penetration. Olive trees tolerate hard pruning and regrow vigorously.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 11 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 5 in the growing season.

11 J
8 F
6 M
6 A
6 M
5 J
5 J
6 A
6 S
7 O
9 N
11 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Some olive trees in the Mediterranean are over 2,000 years old and still produce olives, such as the Al Badawi olive tree in Lebanon.
The olive tree has been a symbol of peace and wisdom since ancient Greece, and an olive branch appears on the United Nations flag.

Frequently asked questions about the Olive Tree

How do you care for a Olive Tree?

Water it every 7 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 30–50 %. Ideal temperature: 5–35 °C. Water deeply then allow the substrate to dry out completely. Olive trees are highly drought-tolerant once established. In pots, water when the substrate is dry at 3–4 cm depth.

How often should you water a Olive Tree?

Every 7 days Water deeply then allow the substrate to dry out completely. Olive trees are highly drought-tolerant once established. In pots, water when the substrate is dry at 3–4 cm depth. How to know it needs water : Substrate dry deep down ; Leaves beginning to roll inward ; Pot feels very light.

How much light does a Olive Tree need?

Full sun Full sun essential, at least 6–8 hours of direct light per day. Indoors, place in front of the brightest possible window. 6 to 10 h a day

Is the Olive Tree toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Olive Tree is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Olive Tree leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Olive Tree?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring (march–april). Use a very draining blend: compost + coarse sand + gravel. A terracotta pot is ideal. Do not bury the root collar. Lightly root-prune at repotting time.