Olea europaea (Olive Tree)

Olea europaea, the Mediterranean Olive Tree, brings a relaxed southern-European feel indoors with its narrow silver-green leaves, fine branching and naturally sculptural shape. Elegant without feeling formal, it works beautifully as a standalone statement plant in bright interiors, conservatories and sunny windows.

Olive trees are naturally adapted to hot, bright and relatively dry conditions, so they perform best when given as much light as possible. Indoors they appreciate direct sun and good airflow, and during the warmer months they can also be moved outside to a sunny balcony, terrace or garden.

Plant Care

Light: Needs very bright light and ideally several hours of direct sunlight each day. A south- or west-facing window is usually best indoors. Insufficient light can lead to sparse growth and leaf drop.

Water: Allow the upper portion of the soil to dry between waterings, then water thoroughly and let excess water drain away. Avoid keeping the roots constantly wet. Water less frequently during winter when growth slows.

Humidity: Average household humidity is suitable. Olive trees generally prefer drier, well-ventilated conditions rather than consistently high humidity.

Temperature: Prefers warm conditions during active growth. In winter, a cooler and very bright position can be beneficial. Protect container-grown plants from severe frost.

Soil: Use a well-draining Mediterranean, citrus or houseplant mix amended with mineral material such as perlite, pumice or grit. Good drainage is essential.

Fertiliser: Feed approximately once a month during spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser. Reduce or stop feeding during winter.

Good to Know

Olive trees can be pruned to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Rotating the pot occasionally also helps produce more even growth when the plant is kept indoors.

Some seasonal leaf drop is normal, particularly after a change in location or when light levels decrease. Persistent heavy leaf loss is most commonly associated with insufficient light, overwatering or poor drainage.

While mature olive trees can produce flowers and fruit, indoor plants may not reliably fruit unless they receive extremely high light levels and suitable seasonal conditions.

Pet safety: Olea europaea is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Botanical name: Olea europaea
Common name: Olive Tree, European Olive
Family: Oleaceae
Growth habit: Upright, woody, branching
Difficulty: Intermediate