🫒 Olive Tree: Growing Guide
Olive Tree (Olea europaea) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −10 to 40 °C (14–104 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 600 cm (236 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Olea europaea |
|---|---|
| Category | Fruit Trees |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 600 cm (236 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −10 to 40 °C (14–104 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Height | 300–1500 cm (118–591 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Oct.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb–Mar · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
Watering
Water about every 14 days in summer and about every 60 days in winter. Very drought tolerant.
Growing tips
A sacred Mediterranean tree. Kalamata, Koroneiki and Arbequina. Oil olives vs table olives.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Olive Tree: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Oct–Nov. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Oct. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
Olive Tree: how often should I water it?
Water about every 14 days in summer and about every 60 days in winter. Very drought tolerant.
Olive Tree: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 600 cm (236 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 20 cm (7.9 in).
Olive Tree: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Olive Tree: which plants grow well with it?
Oregano, Thyme, Lavender.
Olive Tree: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Olive bacterium (Xylella), Olive fruit fly.
Plan your garden
Add Olive Tree to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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