Dating back to ancient Greece, olive trees are one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, prized not only for their flavorful fruit but also for their many ornamental attributes. With their silvery foliage, gnarled trunks, and clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, these distinctive trees are beautiful garden focal points in all seasons.
Although they grow best in a sunny Mediterranean climate, like that found along the California coast, it’s possible to grow olive trees almost anywhere if you protect them during harsh winters. You can even grow olive trees in containers and bring them indoors before freezing temperatures arrive. Dwarf varieties that grow no taller than 6 feet are ideal for that purpose.
And if the fruit isn’t important to you, there are many fruitless olive trees to choose from that offer all the beauty of an olive tree without the mess.
Typically 8-11, although some cultivars are hardy down to zone 7. Mature trees that have had a chance to acclimate often have greater cold tolerance.
Olive trees grow best in regions with hot, dry summers and mild but cool winters. In order to bear fruit, they need a two-month dormancy period of cool weather when temperatures are ideally between 40° F to 50° F. However, colder winter temperatures (below 20° F) can damage or even kill a tree that is left unprotected.
Most fruits (or drupes) start out green and turn a blackish-purple color when fully ripe, but they vary widely in size, shape, oil content, and flavor. Fruitless olive tree cultivars produce flowers but little to no fruit.
The best time to plant is in spring, after the danger of frost is past. Newly planted trees are susceptible to frost damage during the first winter, so fall planting should only be done in areas where winter temperatures do not fall below 30° F. Avoid planting during the heat of the summer.
Plant in full sun (8 or more hours daily) and away from paved areas to avoid stains from fallen fruit (unless growing a fruitless variety). Do not plant in low areas where standing water accumulates. Olive trees won’t survive when grown in waterlogged soil.
Dig a hole that is about the same diameter as the root ball and slightly shallower, so the top of the root ball is just above ground level. Avoid adding compost or organic matter to the planting hole. To achieve robust root growth, a young olive tree needs to adapt to its native soil.
Most olive trees are self-fertile, producing both male and female flowers on the same tree. However, you’ll often increase fruit yields by planting a tree of another variety nearby and allow them to cross pollinate.
Olive trees are a classic symbol of the Mediterranean, with their twisted trunks and silvery green leaves. While traditionally grown in warm climates, advances in cold-hardy varieties now allow gardeners in many temperate regions to grow these beautiful trees. However, timing is everything when it comes to successfully planting and establishing an olive tree. Read on to learn the optimal time for planting based on your climate.
Spring Planting
For most growers, spring is the best time for planting olive trees. After the cooler winter months, spring brings rising temperatures and moisture – ideal conditions for new root growth. Late spring is warmer and drier than early spring, so aim to plant as soon as your soil can be worked in the spring.
Specifically, plant your olive tree after the last expected frost date for your area. Olive trees are not very frost-hardy when young, so a late frost can damage or kill newly planted trees. Consult your local extension service for average last frost dates. In warmer climates like California, late March or April is ideal. In cooler regions, plant in May or even early June if frost risk persists.
Spring planting gives olive trees the most time to establish roots before heat arrives. It also allows the most growth before the first winter. Actively growing trees with new soft growth at the shoot tips establish better. Container-grown nursery trees should be displaying active new growth when you purchase them in spring.
Fall Planting Considerations
While spring planting is most reliable, fall planting can work well in some climates. In mild winter regions like coastal California, planting in October or November allows trees to settle into the soil and start new roots before winter dormancy.
However, olive trees are quite susceptible to frost damage the first couple winters when young In areas prone to winter lows below 25°F, it’s best to wait until spring to avoid winterkill of newly planted trees. Even areas with winter lows above 25°F can experience occasional cold snaps that damage fall-planted trees.
If you do plant in fall, select the warmest microclimate available, such as the south side of a home or other sheltering structure Also be prepared to protect trees with frost blankets or other coverings when extreme cold threatens
Summer Planting Not Advised
Planting olive trees in summer heat is difficult and stressful for the trees. Hot, dry soil discourages new root growth. Evaporation is high, so constant irrigation is needed. And weeds thrive under summer conditions.
Actively growing container trees can be planted in early summer right after purchase But avoid planting during peak summer heat of July and August Instead, purchase trees in spring and maintain them in pots through summer for fall planting. Or better yet, postpone planting until the following spring.
Prepare Planting Site in Advance
While spring is generally the best planting time, you can prepare the planting site in fall or winter. Remove any existing grass or weeds by sheet mulching over winter. Dig holes and amend backfill soil with compost several months prior to planting. Install irrigation lines and equipment.
This advance preparation allows you to get trees in the ground early in spring as soon as soil conditions allow. Having your site ready for the optimal spring planting window means your trees will have the maximum growing season to establish before hot summer weather.
Match Variety to Climate
When choosing olive tree varieties, be sure to select types suited for your winter low temperatures. Some varieties tolerate cold better than others. Arbequina, Frantoio, and Mission are good choices for cooler climates.
If your winters are marginal, look for cold-hardy cultivars bred to withstand temperatures down to 10°F like two new University of Georgia introductions: Santorini and Solana. These expand options for growing olives in many temperate regions.
Plant Multiple Trees for Pollination
Unlike some fruit trees, olive trees are self-fertile so you only need one tree for fruit. However, planting multiple cultivars close together will increase fruit production through cross-pollination. So if productivity is your goal, plant at least two different varieties within 50 feet of each other for optimal pollination.
Give Young Trees Extra Care
Careful planting techniques and aftercare ensure success with new olive trees. Follow these tips:
-
Dig a wide planting hole but avoid soil amendments which can impede root spread.
-
Set the tree slightly higher than ground level and water thoroughly after planting.
-
Stake the tree if your site is windy.
-
Apply an organic mulch layer out to the dripline to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
-
Irrigate regularly during the first summer, tapering off as the tree establishes over 2-3 years.
Olive trees are adapted to hot, dry conditions. But extra diligence with water, protection from harsh conditions, and weed control in early years will give them the best start.
Optimal Olive Tree Planting Time by Region
Here are some general guidelines for the best planting times based on your region:
-
California and Gulf Coast: Late winter to early spring (February – April)
-
Southern Coastal States: February – March
-
Southern and Western Inland States: March – April
-
Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest: April – May
-
Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Interior West: May – June
-
Northern Plains and Canadian Border States: May
Of course, adjusting earlier or later depending on specific local climate factors is advised. Later planting extends the window in warmer areas, while earlier spring planting is important in cooler zones.
Plant for Future Harvests
With appropriate varieties and proper care, olive trees can produce abundant fruit within 3-5 years. Some may yield a small harvest even earlier. While olives require patience, the wait is well worth it. The sooner you get your trees planted, the sooner you can reap delicious harvests for years to come.
When planning an olive orchard or grove, timing is critical. For most growers, the optimal window is early to mid spring after the risk of frost has passed. This gives young trees the best conditions for vigorous root growth and establishment. With careful variety selection for your climate and extra care during early years, spring-planted olive trees will flourish and reward your efforts.
Popular TreesSelect the right ornamental or fruit-bearing tree for your garden
Photo by: Janet Loughrey.
Dating back to ancient Greece, olive trees are one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, prized not only for their flavorful fruit but also for their many ornamental attributes. With their silvery foliage, gnarled trunks, and clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, these distinctive trees are beautiful garden focal points in all seasons.
Although they grow best in a sunny Mediterranean climate, like that found along the California coast, it’s possible to grow olive trees almost anywhere if you protect them during harsh winters. You can even grow olive trees in containers and bring them indoors before freezing temperatures arrive. Dwarf varieties that grow no taller than 6 feet are ideal for that purpose.
And if the fruit isn’t important to you, there are many fruitless olive trees to choose from that offer all the beauty of an olive tree without the mess.
European olive tree, common olive tree
Evergreen fruit-bearing or fruitless tree
Typically 8-11, although some cultivars are hardy down to zone 7. Mature trees that have had a chance to acclimate often have greater cold tolerance.
Olive trees grow best in regions with hot, dry summers and mild but cool winters. In order to bear fruit, they need a two-month dormancy period of cool weather when temperatures are ideally between 40° F to 50° F. However, colder winter temperatures (below 20° F) can damage or even kill a tree that is left unprotected.
15 to 30 feet tall; 6 to 8 feet for dwarf varieties
Slow, about 1 to 2 feet per year
Small creamy white and yellow flowers bloom in spring.
Feather-shaped, with a gray-green upper surface and lighter silvery white underside.
Most fruits (or drupes) start out green and turn a blackish-purple color when fully ripe, but they vary widely in size, shape, oil content, and flavor. Fruitless olive tree cultivars produce flowers but little to no fruit.
Greater than 150 years, although trees living longer than 1,000 years are not uncommon.
Photo by: Luis Vega / Shutterstock.
The best time to plant is in spring, after the danger of frost is past. Newly planted trees are susceptible to frost damage during the first winter, so fall planting should only be done in areas where winter temperatures do not fall below 30° F. Avoid planting during the heat of the summer.
Plant in full sun (8 or more hours daily) and away from paved areas to avoid stains from fallen fruit (unless growing a fruitless variety). Do not plant in low areas where standing water accumulates. Olive trees won’t survive when grown in waterlogged soil.
Dig a hole that is about the same diameter as the root ball and slightly shallower, so the top of the root ball is just above ground level. Avoid adding compost or organic matter to the planting hole. To achieve robust root growth, a young olive tree needs to adapt to its native soil.
Most olive trees are self-fertile, producing both male and female flowers on the same tree. However, you’ll often increase fruit yields by planting a tree of another variety nearby and allow them to cross pollinate.
GROWING OLIVE TREES INDOORS
Potted olive trees can be moved indoors in colder climates. Photo by: Mira Drozdowski.
If you live in a cold climate where an olive tree won’t survive outdoors during the winter, growing your tree in a container that you can move indoors is a great alternative (although your tree is unlikely to bear fruit). Here are tips for growing an olive tree successfully indoors:
- Place it in a spot where it will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, such as a south-facing window. Because olive trees are native to the Mediterranean, they can tolerate dry indoor air and usually won’t require additional humidity.
- Choose a dwarf olive tree variety that won’t grow taller than 6 feet. You can prune your tree, if necessary, to keep it shorter or even grow it as a bonsai.
- Plant your tree in a large container with good drainage, and use a potting soil mix that drains easily, such as a cactus potting soil.
- Apply a slow-release fertilizer twice a year, in spring and mid-summer with a slow-release fertilizer.
- Before moving your tree outdoors again in spring, wait until all danger of frost has passed and allow it to acclimate by gradually exposing it to more sunshine.
Olive Trees In Your Garden, The 101 and Everything You Need to Know.
FAQ
What is the best time to plant an olive tree?
Olive trees are tougher than you think but try and choose a sunny, sheltered, well-drained position and plant in spring, after the risk of frost has passed, but before the end of June to give the tree plenty of time to establish before the following winter.
Where is the best place to plant an olive tree?
-
Sunlight:Olive trees thrive in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
-
Soil:They prefer well-drained soil and are intolerant of heavy clay or waterlogged conditions.
-
Location:
- South-facing: A south-facing location will provide maximum sunlight exposure.
- Sheltered: Consider planting near a wall or other structure for protection from strong winds, especially during winter.
- Avoid: Areas with poor drainage or extremely heavy soil.
- South-facing: A south-facing location will provide maximum sunlight exposure.
-
Spacing:Allow ample space for the tree to grow, typically 10-20 feet between trees.
-
Watering:While olive trees are drought-tolerant once established, young trees need regular watering, especially during the first few years.
-
Cold Protection:While olive trees are relatively hardy, young trees can be vulnerable to frost. Consider planting in a location protected from cold winds or, if necessary, pot the tree and move it indoors during the coldest months.
-
Soil Preparation:Before planting, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
-
Planting Time:Plant in the spring after the risk of frost has passed.
Do olive trees like full sun or shade?
Olive Trees are firm on this stance: they require ample, direct sunlight in order to thrive. This means that you need to ensure that the space you plan on placing your Olive Tree in receives at least six hours of sunlight a day.
How many years does it take for olive trees to produce fruit?
Some varieties, such as Arbequina and Koroneiki might begin fruiting in about 3 years. Other cultivars do not make fruit until they are five to twelve years old. Most olive cultivars will not produce fruit without a pollinator tree of a different cultivar.