Olive Tree, Olea Seed

Olea europaea Olive Seed

Silvery foliage creates Mediterranean indoor elegance
Olive trees tolerate dry air and soil
Container pruning maintains manageable houseplant size
Bright light supports healthy compact growth

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Olea europaea

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

10 Seeds

Zones 8–10 Check your growing zone

About Olea europaea, Olive Seed, Olive Seed

A fun plant that can be grown indoors. One reason people are taking to olive trees as houseplants is that caring for olive trees inside is easy. These trees tolerate dry air and dry soil too, making it an easy-care houseplant. And the trees are attractive too. The branches are covered with narrow, grey-green leaves that have furry undersides. Also does a great job at purifying indoor air.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

30–90 days

Germination Type

Q - Information Limited

In-row plant spacing

12-20'

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Tender Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 8-10

Plant Height

Above 96 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Olive grows best in a warm location with bright, indirect light and protection from cold drafts and harsh midday sun. Use a clean, well-drained potting mix suited to olive and a container with unobstructed drainage holes. Sanitize containers, inspect planting material for pests or rot, and pre-moisten the mix before planting.

Planting

Start olive indoors in a clean, free-draining medium, generally maintaining 70–80°F unless the species prefers cooler conditions. Keep the medium evenly moist but never saturated, and expect slow or irregular germination from woody or tropical seed. Provide bright filtered light after emergence. Pot seedlings individually once sturdy, disturbing the roots as little as possible.

Watering

Water olive when the upper 1–2 inches of potting mix feel dry. Soak thoroughly, allow excess water to drain, and reduce frequency during slower winter growth.

Fertilizer

Feed olive monthly during active spring and summer growth with diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer. Reduce or stop in winter, and periodically flush containers to prevent salt buildup.

Harvesting

Harvest olives at the stage needed for their intended use: green and firm for green curing, partially colored for mixed styles, or fully dark for ripe processing. Pick carefully to avoid bruising fruit or damaging branches.

Tips

Rotate olive regularly for balanced growth and wipe dust from broad leaves. Protect it from heating vents, cold drafts, and sudden light changes that can cause leaf drop.

Pests & Diseases

Olive seedling and mature trees may develop peacock spot, anthracnose, Verticillium wilt, or Phytophthora root rot. Begin with healthy stock, provide excellent drainage, and avoid planting where susceptible crops recently had wilt. Prune spotted growth in dry weather and discard seedlings with persistent wilt or root decay.

Olive fruit flies, black scale, olive psyllids, and spider mites may occur. Monitor fruit and leaf undersides, prune heavily infested growth, use traps where appropriate, and preserve beneficial insects.