Olive tree
Olea europaea
An evergreen tree or shrub featuring silvery-green, oblong leaves, gnarled trunks, and a dense, branching canopy.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become completely dry; avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree with a slow to moderate growth rate, typically maturing to heights of 20 to 30 feet with a broad, spreading canopy.
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry completely between watering sessions. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become completely dry; avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil
Well-draining sandy or loamy soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.5 and 8.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree with a slow to moderate growth rate, typically maturing to heights of 20 to 30 feet with a broad, spreading canopy.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, fragrant, creamy-white or yellowish flowers in clustered panicles.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in summer or by grafting onto rootstocks.
Common pests & issues
Prone to scale insects, olive fruit fly, and fungal issues such as verticillium wilt or peacock spot, which are best managed with good air circulation and proper drainage.
Similar species
Sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), which features broader, glossier leaves and intensely fragrant flowers, and privet (Ligustrum species), which generally has softer, non-silvery foliage.