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Olive Tree

Plant care guide

How to care for Olive Tree

Olea europaea

Care level: Needs extra care

An indoor olive tree brings a touch of the Mediterranean with its narrow, silvery-green leaves and slender trunk. It loves sun more than almost any houseplant, so a very bright window is the secret to keeping it healthy indoors.

Also known as: Olive tree, indoor olive tree, European olive, common olive, fruiting olive, Olea europaea

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox it right away and gently straighten any bent branches.
  2. Check the soil; olives like to dry out a bit, so only water if the top couple of inches are dry.
  3. Put it in your sunniest spot, ideally right in front of a south or west window.
  4. Some leaf drop is very common after shipping and moving indoors; it usually stops once the tree adjusts.
  5. Keep it away from heat vents and cold drafts.
  6. Wait at least two weeks before repotting, and do not prune heavily until it has settled.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Olive trees need full sun, ideally six or more hours of direct light daily from a south or west window. Without enough light they drop leaves and grow thin. If your windows are not bright enough, a strong grow light makes a big difference, especially in winter.

Water

Water deeply when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, and let all excess drain away. Olives handle short dry spells but not soggy soil. Yellowing leaves and leaf drop with wet soil point to overwatering; crispy, curling leaves mean it has dried out too far.

Humidity

Average household humidity is fine; olives come from dry Mediterranean climates. They do not need misting. Good air circulation is more important than humidity.

Temperature

Keep it between 60 and 80 F during the growing season. A cooler winter rest at 45 to 60 F, kept in bright light, helps it stay healthy and is needed if you hope for flowers or fruit. Protect it from frost and from hot, dry heater vents.

Soil & repotting

Use a fast-draining mix such as cactus soil blended with regular potting soil, in a terracotta pot with drainage holes. Repot every two to three years in spring, moving up one size. A heavy pot helps keep a top-heavy tree stable.

Feeding

Feed every 4 to 6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Do not feed in fall and winter. Too much nitrogen gives lots of leaves but weak, floppy growth.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Leaf dropusually low light or a recent move; give it more sun and keep conditions steady.
  • Yellowing leaves with wet soiloverwatering; let the top 2 inches dry before watering again.
  • Leggy, sparse branchesnot enough light; move to a sunnier window or add a grow light, and prune lightly in spring.
  • Crispy, curled leavesunderwatering or hot, dry air from a vent; water deeply and move away from heat.
  • Scale insects (small bumps on stems)scrape off or dab with rubbing alcohol, and check regularly.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Spending summer outdoors in full sun can transform an indoor olive; bring it back in before nights drop below about 45 F.
  • Prune lightly in late winter or spring to shape it and encourage bushier growth.
  • Indoor olives rarely fruit, but a cool, bright winter rest gives them the best chance to flower.

Pet safety

Olive Tree isn't specifically named in the ASPCA's plant database, and it isn't known to be toxic. As with any houseplant, keep it out of reach of pets that like to chew.

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