Olea Europaea - Olive Tree《油橄欖》

🌿 Why You’ll Love It:

• Silvery foliage with natural movement
• Long-lasting and versatile in fresh or dried arrangements
• Symbolizes peace, wisdom, and endurance

🌿 Olea europaea (Olive Tree) Care Tips

Olea europaea, commonly known as the olive tree, is a timeless Mediterranean evergreen known for its silvery-green foliage, gnarled trunk, and in ideal conditions, small, fragrant flowers followed by edible olives. Whether grown in the ground or in containers, olive trees bring a rustic, sculptural elegance to both outdoor and indoor settings.

☀️ Light

• Needs full sun—at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Outdoors: ideal for sunny patios, balconies, or gardens.

• Indoors: place near the brightest south-facing window.

💧 Watering

• Drought-tolerant once established, but benefits from regular watering during active growth.

• Allow the top 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) of soil to dry out between waterings.

• Reduce watering in winter.

• Avoid overwatering, especially in pots—olive roots dislike wet feet.

🌱 Soil

• Prefers well-draining, slightly alkaline soil.

• Mix idea for pots: cactus mix + compost + a handful of lime.

• Good drainage is essential—avoid compacted or clay-heavy soils.

💦 Humidity

• Tolerates low humidity very well—perfect for dry climates.

• No misting needed.

🌡️ Temperature

• Loves warm weather: 18–30°C (64–86°F).

• Hardy to around -8°C (17°F) once mature, though young trees need frost protection.

• In cooler climates, grow in containers and overwinter indoors.

🍃 Fertilizer

• Feed in spring and summer with a balanced or Mediterranean plant fertilizer every 4–6 weeks.

• Avoid overfeeding—olive trees grow slowly and naturally stay compact.

✂️ Pruning & Training

• Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and airflow.

• Remove inward-growing branches or suckers from the base.

• Can be trained as a small tree, bush, or bonsai.

🫒 Fruit Production

• Needs plenty of sun and a few years of maturity to bear fruit.

• Some varieties are self-fertile, others require cross-pollination.

• May not fruit reliably indoors or in low light conditions.

🏺 Styling Tip:

Perfect for terracotta pots, minimalist gardens, Mediterranean themes, or rustic courtyards. The sculptural form and textured trunk make it a year-round focal plant.

Bring timeless serenity and earthy elegance into your designs with Olea europaea.