Olive trees offer a certain sophistication to any modern space, with a charming Tuscany vibe and airy sage-coloured foliage it is no wonder why they have become popular in recent years.
An ancient plant, Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean where they tolerate dry air and somewhat dry soil – making it an extremely adaptable houseplant! They are the perfect indoor container plant that most certainly can transition outside to soak up our summer heat!
Care & Maintenance for Olive Trees:
Botanical Name: Olea europaea
Light: full sun (at least six hours a day). A sunny, south-facing window is ideal. Avoid letting the leaves touch window glass, which can intensify the sunlight and burn them.
Water: thoroughly, when you can stick your finger about an inch deep into the pot and the soil feels dry, it’s time to water again.
Fertilizer: Feed your olive tree once a month in fall and winter with a balanced all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. When spring returns, start feeding twice a month or switch to a timed-release fertilizer.
Soil: Olive trees like soil that drains easily, like a cactus mix. Placing an inch or two of styrofoam, gravel, or any other kind of filler on the bottom of the pot will keep the soil well-drained. Of course, be sure your container has drainage holes.
Growing Fruit: Olive trees need to be placed outside for a few months to set fruit, it has to do with the change in temperatures. Your olive tree likely won’t set fruit indoors. It needs a drop in daytime and nighttime temperatures, as well as about two months of temperatures below 50 degrees F to stimulate flowering.
Maintenance: If you keep your tree as a houseplant but are hoping to move it outside in the spring/summer, ensure that you wait until all danger of frost has passed. Help it acclimate by keeping it in a sheltered spot for the first few days and gradually expose it to more sunshine while making sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
After 7 to 10 days, put your olive tree in full sun until the frost returns. Before you bring it back in, reverse the acclimation process. Move it back into a partially shaded spot for a week to 10 days to help it adjust to the lower light levels in your home.
