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.