Olive Tree Plant Guide

Olea europaea

Timeless Mediterranean elegance. Olive trees bring architectural beauty, silvery foliage, and a sense of age and permanence to any garden.

Quick Facts

Hardiness Zones8-11 (containers in colder zones)

SunFull sun

WaterLow - very drought tolerant

SoilWell-drained, tolerates poor soil

Height15-30 feet (or pruned smaller)

Spread15-25 feet

Bloom TimeSpring (small white flowers); evergreen foliage

Mediterranean gardensSpecimen treeContainersCourtyardsFormal gardensGravel gardens

Why Grow Olive Trees

Olive trees are living sculptures. Their gnarled, twisting trunks, silvery-green foliage, and timeless silhouette evoke the Mediterranean instantly. They're incredibly long-lived, specimens in the Mediterranean are 1,000+ years old. In gardens, they provide year-round evergreen structure, tolerate drought and poor soil, and look more beautiful with age.

Growing in Cooler Climates

In zones 7 and below, grow olives in large containers (at least 24 inches wide). Move indoors to a cool, bright room for winter, a minimally heated greenhouse, conservatory, or bright garage works. Dwarf varieties like 'Little Ollie' and 'Arbequina' are ideal for containers. In zone 8, plant in a sheltered south-facing spot against a warm wall.

Choosing the Right Variety

'Arbequina' is self-pollinating and produces excellent fruit in warm climates. 'Swan Hill' is fruitless, no messy olive drop on patios. 'Little Ollie' stays dwarf (6 feet) and is perfect for containers and small gardens. 'Wilsonii' is the most cold-hardy fruiting variety. For purely ornamental use, fruitless varieties avoid the purple-staining mess.

Design with Olive Trees

A pair of olive trees in matching containers flanking an entrance creates an instant Mediterranean statement. Plant one as a specimen in a gravel garden surrounded by lavender and rosemary. An olive tree underplanted with thyme and surrounded by terracotta pots defines a courtyard. In formal gardens, olive trees serve the same structural role as clipped bay trees but with more character.

Companion Plants

Olive Tree pairs beautifully with:

LavenderRosemaryBougainvilleaAgapanthusOrnamental grasses

Frequently Asked Questions

Can olive trees grow in cold climates?

Olive trees tolerate brief cold snaps to 15°F but not prolonged freezing. In zones 7 and below, grow in containers and overwinter indoors in a cool, bright location.

Do olive trees need a lot of water?

No, olive trees are extremely drought-tolerant once established. In-ground trees rarely need supplemental watering after the first 2 years. Container olives need watering when soil dries out.

How fast do olive trees grow?

Olive trees grow about 1-2 feet per year. They're not fast-growing but their beauty increases with age. A 10-year-old olive tree has significant character and presence.

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