How to Care for your Olive Tree

INDOOR OLIVE TREE & DECORATIVE PLANTER CARE

If your olive tree arrived in a burlap sack, ceramic, wood, or metal planter, you may notice a plastic liner secured around the nursery pot. This liner was carefully placed to keep the tree, soil, and decorative moss secure during shipping.

To keep your olive tree healthy, please follow these simple care instructions.

Remove the plastic liner. Upon arrival, carefully remove the protective plastic liner to allow proper airflow and drainage.
Ensure proper drainage. Olive trees do not tolerate standing water. Always remove the nursery pot from its decorative burlap sack or planter before watering, unless the decorative container has adequate drainage holes. Allow excess water to drain completely before returning the tree to its decorative container. Never allow water to accumulate around the roots or at the bottom of the planter.
Provide plenty of sunlight. Olive trees thrive in full sun. Indoors, place your tree near a bright, sunny window, preferably south-facing, where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid placing leaves directly against window glass.
Water carefully. Check the soil before watering. Allow the upper portion of the soil to dry between waterings, then water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the nursery pot. Watering frequency will vary depending on temperature, sunlight, humidity, and container size. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of olive tree decline.
Consider moving your tree outdoors. Although olive trees can be enjoyed indoors, they generally thrive best outdoors in full sun. When weather permits, gradually transition your tree to an outdoor location, such as a sunny patio, porch, or garden. In colder climates, container-grown trees may need protection from freezing temperatures during winter.

Remember: Full Sun • Well-Draining Soil • Avoid Overwatering

With proper sunlight, drainage, and care, your olive tree can bring beauty and enjoyment for years to come.

REPOTTING & TRANSPLANTING YOUR OLIVE TREE

Olive trees are beautiful, hardy, and relatively easy to care for when planted in the right conditions. Whether you're transplanting your olive tree into the ground or repotting it in a container, the two most important requirements are full sun and well-draining soil. Olive trees thrive in sunny locations and do not tolerate standing water or consistently soggy roots.

Planting Your Olive Tree in the Ground

Choose a sunny location. Olive trees thrive in full sun, ideally receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day. A location sheltered from strong winds is beneficial, particularly for young trees.
Ensure proper drainage. Olive trees grow best in well-draining soil. Avoid areas where water collects or the ground remains wet for extended periods. If you have heavy clay soil or poor drainage, consider planting on a raised mound or berm to help water drain away from the roots.
Prepare the planting hole. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball itself. Gently remove the tree from its nursery container and loosen any tightly circling roots.
Plant at the proper depth. Position the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill with the native soil, gently firming it around the roots. Avoid burying the trunk.
Water thoroughly after planting. Water deeply to settle the soil around the roots. During the establishment period, water as needed based on weather, soil conditions, and drainage. Allow the upper soil to begin drying between watering. Repotting Your Olive Tree in an Outdoor Container

Olive trees grow beautifully in containers and make wonderful additions to patios, porches, decks, and outdoor living spaces.

Choose a container with drainage holes. Proper drainage is essential. Select a pot slightly larger than the existing nursery container, allowing room for root growth without using an excessively large pot.
Use well-draining potting soil. A quality container potting mix amended with perlite or pumice works well. A cactus or succulent potting mix may also be suitable.
Repot carefully. Gently remove the tree from its nursery container, loosen any circling roots, and position it in the new pot at the same soil level as before. Fill around the root ball with fresh potting mix and water thoroughly.
Elevate your container. We recommend placing outdoor pots on pot feet, risers, or a plant stand to allow excess water to drain freely from the bottom. This is especially helpful on decks, patios, and other flat surfaces where water can collect beneath the pot. Never allow your olive tree to sit in standing water.
Provide plenty of sunshine. Place your potted olive tree where it will receive at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Caring for Olive Trees in Indoor Containers

Although olive trees generally perform best outdoors, they can be grown indoors with adequate sunlight and proper care.

Place your tree in the sunniest available location, preferably near a south-facing window.
Use a container with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.
Avoid overwatering, and never allow water to collect in the saucer beneath the pot.
Whenever possible, provide your tree with time outdoors during suitable weather, gradually introducing it to direct sunlight.

Watering Your Olive Tree

One of the most common mistakes in caring for olive trees is overwatering.

Olive trees prefer soil that drains well and begins to dry between waterings. Watering needs vary depending on the tree's size, container, climate, soil type, and season.

Newly planted trees: Water deeply and monitor soil moisture regularly while the roots become established.
Outdoor potted trees: Check soil moisture before watering. Containers may dry out more quickly during hot or windy weather.
Indoor potted trees: Water when the soil has begun to dry, adjusting frequency based on indoor temperature, light, and seasonal conditions.

Always allow excess water to drain freely. Avoid leaving your olive tree in soggy soil, as prolonged moisture around the roots can lead to root rot.

Cold Weather Considerations

Olive trees prefer Mediterranean-style climates with warm, sunny summers and relatively mild winters.

In colder regions, container-grown olive trees may need protection from freezing temperatures. Move potted trees into a bright, sheltered, cool location when necessary, and return them outdoors when conditions are suitable.

When Will My Olive Tree Produce Olives?

Olive trees may begin producing fruit within approximately 4–5 years, depending on the variety, growing conditions, and maturity of the tree. Some varieties may produce earlier, while others take longer.

Olive trees can exhibit alternate bearing, producing a heavier crop one year followed by a lighter crop the next.

For table olives, fruit is harvested at different stages of ripeness depending on the desired preparation. For olive oil production, harvest timing varies by variety and the flavor profile desired, from green fruit for more robust oil to riper fruit for milder oil.

A Final Note: Growing conditions vary by region. Climate, rainfall, soil composition, and seasonal temperatures can all affect the care your olive tree requires. When in doubt, consult a knowledgeable local nursery for advice specific to your area.