Olive trees are stunning ornamental plants that can live for hundreds of years. Their silvery green foliage twisted branching and delicate white blooms make them ideal for containers. A large pot allows the olive tree’s extensive root system room to spread and thrive. With so many options on the market selecting the ideal olive tree planter for your needs can feel overwhelming. This definitive guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the perfect large pot for your olive tree.
Pot Size Matters
One key factor in picking an olive tree pot is ensuring adequate size. Olives are vigorous growers with spreading root structures. Their container must have sufficient capacity to support growth. As a general rule your pot should be at least 25% wider and deeper than the olive’s root ball. For multi-trunk varieties go even bigger. Small pots restrict expansion, leading to root binding and reduced health.
For young trees under 3 years, look for pots around 10-15 inches wide and deep. More mature olives need 12-15 inch pots minimum. Larger plants may require 16 inches or bigger. If pairing with companion plants, size up accordingly. Just remember, when it doubt, choose a pot on the roomier side to prevent cramping the olive’s roots.
Ideal Pot Materials for Olive Trees
Olive trees thrive best in porous containers that provide good aeration and drainage. Here are top pot materials to consider:
Terracotta
- Beautiful Italian flair and Old World charm
- Natural clay draws moisture away from roots
- Durable and weather resistant
- Provides excellent insulation
Concrete
- Sleek, modern look in variety of colors
- Heavier weight adds stability
- Neutral tones complement other pots
- Can crack if exposed to hard freezes
Wood
- Rustic, organic appearance especially in whiskey barrels
- Relatively lightweight for easy moving
- Insulates roots from temperature swings
- Requires sealing to prevent rotting
Ceramic
- Sophisticated glazed and high-gloss finishes
- Trendy geometric or patterned looks
- Prone to cracking in freezing weather
- Offers a cleaner, more decorative look
Resin/Fiberglass
- Mimics stone, clay or concrete at lower cost
- Lighter weight than authentic materials
- Weather resistant and easy to clean
- Limited style selection compared to other pots
In general, terracotta, wood and concrete make excellent choices for durability and drainage. Ceramic and resin pots work better for indoor use.
Factors That Impact Olive Tree Pot Selection
Along with size and material, consider these other elements when picking your pot:
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Location – Will it be outdoors or indoor? Choose weather-resistant materials for outdoor spaces.
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Drainage – Multiple drainage holes are essential for olives. Add pebbles or stones at the base to improve drainage.
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Design – Select a style that fits your taste from modern geometric to traditional Mediterranean blue and white.
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Weight – Olive trees get very heavy. Pick substantial pots that can handle the load without tipping over.
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Budget – Prices range from $50 for basic plastic to $500+ for high-end Italian terracotta.
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Changing Needs – Eventually even large pots will need upsizing as the olive grows. Focus on long term needs.
By factoring in these considerations, you can select the ideal olive tree pot to complement your space and meet the plant’s requirements.
7 Top-Rated Extra Large Olive Tree Planters
To give you a sense of the range of excellent olive tree pots available, here are my top recommendations:
1. Emsco Olive Jar Planter
- Classic terracotta olive jar with aged patina
- Generous 21″W x 24″ H size
- Drainage hole and plug
- Built-in rollers for mobility
2. Potey Mediterranean Planter
- White ceramic pot with blue accents
- Graceful oval shape with decorative handles
- 18”W x 16”H dimension
- Glazed glossy finish
3. Benjara Rustic Stoneware Planter
- Oversized aged terracotta look
- Distressed greenish hue with orange undertones
- 20”W x 13”H round shape
- Internal drainage tray
4. Southern Patio Norfolk Olive Planter
- Warm brown tones with braided rope handles
- Durable polyresin withstands weather extremes
- 20”W x 18”H oval shape
- Built-in rollers for easy moving
5. Napa Olive Tree Planter by MPG
- Premium Italian hand-made terracotta
- Aged grayish finish with high-fired gloss
- Generous 24”W x 23”H capacity
- Classic Mediterranean style
6. Oakland Living Mississippi Oval Planter
- Cast aluminum with powder coated finish
- Scrollwork accents and graceful oval shape
- 23”W x 23”H, weighs 35 lbs
- Available in black, bronze and white
7. Elk & Bear Olive Tree Planter
- Rustic wooden barrel with distressed finish
- Iron hoop handles and natural wood grain
- 20”W x 24”H tapered cylindrical shape
- Ideal for patios, decks and gardens
With so many wonderful olive tree pots to choose from, you’re sure to find one that ticks all the boxes for your needs and personal style. Use this guide to shop with confidence! Let your olive tree’s graceful beauty shine in a stunning planter that gives its roots room to thrive.
Grow Potted Olives in Cold Climates
It was over two decades ago that I came home from a garden centre with a small potted olive tree. I was entranced by the shimmering light in olive groves in Italy—so when I saw that little plant here in Toronto, I grabbed it.
Olive trees are beautiful when the wind goes through them. The feathery leaves take on a silvery glow as they billow in a breeze.
My potted olive tree grew bigger and bigger. I shaped it into a nicely proportioned tree. When it sent up a sucker, I lopped off the sucker to make a second olive tree.
They were a beautiful touch of the Mediterranean in my cold-climate garden.
But those potted olive trees never gave me a single olive.
Not until I learned a couple of the simple but important things about potted olive trees that I share with you in this article.
Potted Olive Tree Summer Care
If it’s an option, put your potted olive tree outside for the summer. Olive trees do best with lots of sunlight.
(They look very nice amongst potted lemon trees ! Find out how to grow figs in pots.)
The quality of light indoors, even near a bright window, is not as good as outdoors.
Olive Tree – Top outdoor plants
FAQ
How big of a pot does an olive tree need?
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McEvoy Ranchhttps://www.mcevoyranch.comGROWING OLIVE TREES IN A POT – McEvoy RanchJul 6, 2023 — Typically, olive trees for sale come in a container that is designed simply for temporary transport until such time as you are ready to plant it. A t…
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Stark Broshttps://www.starkbros.comPlanting Olive Trees – Stark Bro’sAs your olive tree grows, you will be able to increase the pot size to allow for more room to grow. Restricting the roots in a smaller container may limit growt…
What is the best pot for an olive tree?
Recommended Pots for Your Olive Tree
Terracotta or Larch wood is a preferable choice when growing olive trees in pots or containers. This is because they are more ‘breathable’ options and will help with drainage and insulation.
Do olive trees like to be pot-bound?
This allows the plant to move to a protected winter habitat in freezing temperatures. Although olive trees are wonderfully suited for pot culture due to their slow growth and rather shallow roots, a tree is still a tree. So even your olive tree in a pot will quickly become claustrophobic and a new home will be needed.
Do olive trees have deep roots in pots?
In very loose soil, the roots can reach up to 7 metres deep into the earth. Otherwise, olives are flat-rooted. Most of the roots reach a maximum depth of 1 metre. That is why olive trees are so well suited as a container plant.