Olive tree – planting and care

Scientific name (Latin): Olea europaea

Family: Olive tree family / Oleaceae

Olive trees (Olea europaea) have a long history. The tree has been a symbol of peace, wisdom, and abundance in many cultures—and in its natural environment, it can live for hundreds of years. These ornamental trees are popular here in Norway, but they are most famous where they originated: the Mediterranean region. There, olive trees are grown for their fruit. The olives are processed and eaten as they are or turned into olive oil, for example.

Even olive trees planted here in Norway can bear fruit in the form of olives, but only if they are pollinated. This can happen by having two olive trees at home. They also need to be at least five years old and well taken care of to thrive. In other words, growing olives in Norway is easier said than done.

Olive trees are evergreen throughout the year, or more precisely, silver-green, since the foliage consists of gray-green, leathery leaves. This means the tree has a high light requirement, even in winter.

Olive trees can technically be planted in flower beds, but it’s more common to keep them in pots – this way, they can be easily moved indoors when winter arrives. The tree should be placed in a sheltered spot with full sun to partial shade, preferably against a south-facing wall to maximize sunlight and reduce the risk of frost damage. The tree thrives best in well-drained soil.

A good solution for olive trees is to plant them in pots, so you can easily move the tree to a cool room or a glassed-in balcony when the frost starts to approach. Since the plant cannot tolerate frost, this is the best option for most of us.

If you live in areas with very mild winters, it may be possible to cover the tree and overwinter it outdoors, but the tree should not be exposed to temperatures below 5 degrees and needs sunlight year-round; otherwise, it will lose its leaves. Keeping the tree outdoors year-round therefore requires some effort (and a bit of luck with the weather, of course). In other words, an olive tree in a pot is the best and most realistic option for us here in the cold north.

It’s important that the pot is large enough for the roots to grow and has drainage holes at the bottom so the roots do not sit in water. Place the pot in a sunny location – it should get sun for most of the day. Plant the tree in well-drained soil.

Olive trees can stay outdoors during the summer but should be moved indoors when it starts to get cold, as they prefer warmth and can be damaged by frost.

• Watering
  Olive trees are drought-tolerant and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. When you do water, make sure to water thoroughly. Then, let the soil dry out again before watering generously. If the olive tree loses leaves during the summer, it could be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Note that olive trees require significantly less water during the winter months.
  
• Fertilizing
  Feed the tree with slow-release citrus fertilizer every time you water during the summer. In winter, the tree does not need any fertilizer at all.
  
• Pruning
  Prune the olive tree regularly. Pruning helps keep the tree healthy and fresh, and you can also shape the crown as you like. Remove dead or diseased branches and branches that grow inward toward the trunk. The best time to prune olive trees is usually in the spring (for major pruning) or in the fall, when the tree is dormant (for lighter pruning). Avoid heavy pruning during the summer, as this can stress the tree during its growing phase.

Olive trees should be overwintered in a cool but bright location. The temperature should be between 5–10 degrees Celsius. The tree needs sunlight every day, so it must be placed in a bright spot. A glassed-in balcony or similar space can be a good place if you have access to one.

If the tree doesn't receive enough light, it tends to lose its leaves to conserve as much energy as possible. With grow lights, you can support the tree and help it thrive. When it gets warm and bright again, the tree will typically be able to shoot new growth, even on old wood. If you're worried about whether the tree is alive, you can scrape away a bit of bark to check if it's green underneath.

Because olive trees receive less warmth and light in winter than in summer, you should also water them less frequently.

See all our citrus and olive trees.

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