Olive trees are a hallmark of the Mediterranean climate and a world-famous crop with very rich symbolism and a wide range of uses. With their silvery leaves and juicy green fruit, you can feel the holiday climate without leaving your home. By having an olive in your collection, you will enrich your surroundings with the original atmosphere of the sunny south. Create your olive garden in the living room, on the terrace or balcony!

Olives plant - exotic at your fingertips

The European olive plant, also known as the olive tree, is a type of tree belonging to the olive family. It is native to the Mediterranean region, where it has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. The olive tree is not found in the wild, but only as a cultivated or ornamental plant. In the wild, the olive tree can grow to a height of 10 metres, but when grown in a container it reaches a maximum of 3 metres. It is an evergreen tree or shrub distinguished by its dense habit, upright crown and attractive silvery foliage. The olive's branches are filled with narrow, grey-green leaves covered with white or rust-coloured hairs underneath. In summer, small, yellow-white and fragrant flowers, gathered in panicle-like inflorescences, appear at the ends of the shoots. The fruit of the olive tree ripens in autumn and takes the form of small, egg-shaped drupes. Initially grey-green in colour, they become green, purple-black and eventually black as they ripen.

Olive tree requirements

Due to their low requirements, olive trees are ideal for busy people and novice gardeners. They are also ideal plants for restaurants. In our climatic conditions, it is only grown as a pot plant. In order for the olive bush to grow healthily and produce an abundant crop, it is necessary to take care of the right growing conditions:

✔️ position

Above all, the olive needs sunshine to grow properly. Therefore, under home conditions, provide the plant with a bright and sunny position, away from heat sources (radiators, heaters and others) and blasts of cold air. To provide the olive with an adequate supply of oxygen, the room should be ventilated regularly.

✔️ soil and transplanting

The olive tree should be grown in fertile and well-drained soil. To improve the permeability of the soil, it is a good idea to mix it with, for example, coarse sand or perlite. There should be a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot to prevent waterlogging. Plants should be repotted into larger pots annually in spring. For older specimens, only the topsoil needs to be replaced with fresh soil.

✔️ cultivation temperature

The olive is not frost hardy. In spring and summer, the olive can be displayed on a balcony, terrace or in the garden. In autumn, however, it should be moved to a bright and cool room. The minimum temperature for an olive tree in winter is 4°C. To ensure stimulated flowering and fruiting, the olive should spend at least two months at temperatures below 10°C.

✔️ watering and fertilising

The olive tree copes much better with drought than with excess water. However, this does not mean that it can do without water. The plant should be watered moderately, so that the top layer of soil in the pot is slightly moist and to avoid standing roots in water. It is a good idea to feed the tree once a month with a suitable fertiliser, e.g. for Mediterranean plants.

How to take care of the olive tree?

Olive trees tolerate pruning very well and are therefore ideal for bonsai. They can be pruned every year, preferably done in spring. If pruned regularly, the olive will thicken its crown and its leaves will be smaller. Olive trees can be propagated from both seed and cuttings. However, propagating olives from seeds (drupes) is difficult as they take a very long time to germinate. Therefore, the best way to propagate olives is to take semi-woody top cuttings in June or July. If, on the other hand, you do not want to wait, it is best to buy an already rooted plant. When caring for the olive tree, beware of excessive heat, as it can then be attacked by maggots. The young leaves of the olive tree are also prone to attacks from aphids and mealybugs. If these pests feed, a suitable plant protection product should be applied.

Where to buy an olive tree?

The delicate and juicy flavour along with the rich golden oils are just a click away! Check out our offer at Roslinydomowe.co.uk to order your olive tree with safe and fast courier shipping. By choosing a European olive or a European trunk olive, you will be able to enjoy the exotic at any time of the year.