Olive Tree
Olive Tree
Olea europaea
A Mediterranean signal on a terrace, sparing with water but demanding drainage and winter shelter.
Checked by the editorial team – Updated July 2026
Olive Tree (Olea europaea) is a shrub in the Oleaceae family. It is mainly grown in sun, in chalky, well-drained, light, dry soil, with a mature size around 3 m to 5 m. Its white flowering and hardiness to -15 deg C make it a plant to match carefully with place and purpose.
Botanical identity card
Gardener calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | ||||||||||||
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Leaf season | ||||||||||||
| Care |
With olive tree, refinement is not rarity but accuracy: the right place first, then the quiet gesture. For shrub habit, container, balcony, a well-trained plant is worth more than a forced one.
– Les Jardins d’un Chatelain
Portrait
A Mediterranean signal on a terrace, sparing with water but demanding drainage and winter shelter.
In a character garden, olive tree is first used to build a scene: shrub habit, container, balcony, specimen, border. The position should be chosen before purchase, because the plant performs better when light, soil and mature size agree.
The reference record points to sun and chalky, well-drained, light, dry soil. Respecting that match is the quiet economy of good gardening: fewer corrections, less water and cleaner pruning.
Notable varieties
| Variety or form | Useful character | Garden situation |
|---|---|---|
| Olea europaea | white – shrub habit – 3 m to 5 m | shrub habit, container, balcony |
The Chatelain Method
Observe
Check sun, warmth and water evacuation.
Diagnose
Leaf drop often follows cold, excess water or abrupt change.
Correct
Repot in a draining mix and protect the container.
Prevent
Overwinter young trees away from severe frost.
Frequently asked questions
When should Olive Tree be planted?
Use the calendar above as the first guide. Outside frost, heatwaves and waterlogged soil, planting works best while the ground is cool and workable.
Which exposure is best?
Olive Tree prefers sun. In hot climates, shelter from the harshest sun reduces stress.
What soil does it need?
The reference data points to chalky, well-drained, light, dry soil. Improve the planting hole before planting rather than correcting later.
Is Olive Tree hardy?
Available data indicates hardiness down to -15 deg C, to be adjusted for wind, winter wet and plant age.