Olive Tree
Olea europaea
The olive is a long-lived evergreen Mediterranean tree grown for thousands of years for its fruit and oil. Gnarled, silvery and remarkably drought-hardy, it is also a popular ornamental and container plant.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Drought-tolerant; water deeply but infrequently
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
The olive tree is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin and one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history, with a relationship to people stretching back more than 6,000 years. Some living specimens are believed to be over a thousand years old.
Olives are slow-growing and exceptionally long-lived, developing characteristically twisted, hollow trunks with age. Their narrow grey-green leaves and silvery undersides give olive groves their shimmering appearance.
Grown commercially for table olives and olive oil, the tree is also widely planted as an ornamental for its sculptural form, evergreen foliage and tolerance of heat and drought.
How to identify it
- Leaves: Narrow, leathery, lance-shaped, dark green above and silvery-grey beneath, arranged in opposite pairs
- Bark: Smooth and grey when young, becoming deeply gnarled, fissured and twisted with age
- Flowers: Small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers borne in clusters in late spring
- Fruit: A small drupe (the olive), green ripening to black or purple, with a single hard pit
- Size: Typically 8–15 m (25–50 ft) tall, but kept much smaller in cultivation and pots
- Habit: Rounded, often multi-stemmed evergreen with a broad crown
Care & growing
Light: Full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily is needed for good growth and fruiting.
Water: Very drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently; avoid constant moisture and soggy roots.
Soil: Free-draining soil is essential. Tolerates poor, rocky and alkaline ground; will not survive waterlogging.
Temperature: Loves heat. Hardy to roughly -7 to -10 °C (15–20 °F) once mature; protect young or potted trees from hard frost. A cool winter period helps trigger flowering.
Feeding: Light feeding in spring with a balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer; avoid overfeeding.
Propagation: Commonly from semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting; also from seed, though seedlings are slow and variable.
Habitat & origin
Olea europaea is native to the Mediterranean basin, as well as parts of Africa and Asia. It thrives in the hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters of a Mediterranean climate.
Today olives are grown commercially across the Mediterranean (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey), and in California, Australia, South America and other regions with similar climates. As an ornamental, container-grown olives are popular far beyond their hardiness range, brought indoors or sheltered over winter.
Uses & benefits
- Culinary: The fruit is cured into table olives; pressed for olive oil, a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine
- Health: Olive oil is valued for monounsaturated fats and is central to the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet
- Ornamental: Prized for its silvery foliage, sculptural gnarled trunk and evergreen, drought-tolerant nature
- Symbolic: The olive branch is an ancient symbol of peace, and olive wood is used for fine carving and utensils
- Note: Raw olives are intensely bitter and must be cured in brine, water or lye before eating
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat olives straight off the tree?
No. Raw olives contain bitter compounds (oleuropein) that make them inedible. They must be cured in brine, water, salt or lye for weeks before they are palatable.
Will my potted olive tree produce fruit?
It can, but it needs lots of sun, a cool winter dormancy to trigger flowering, and patience. Many ornamental potted olives are grown for their foliage rather than reliable fruit.
How much water does an olive tree need?
Very little once established — it is highly drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently and ensure excellent drainage; overwatering is the most common cause of decline.
How cold-hardy are olive trees?
Mature trees tolerate brief cold down to about -7 to -10 °C (15–20 °F), but young and potted trees should be protected from hard frost or overwintered indoors in cold climates.
Why isn't my olive tree fruiting?
Common reasons include too little sun, lack of a cool winter rest, young age, or excessive nitrogen feeding that favors leaves over flowers.
Olive Tree guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Olive Tree.
