How to Grow Olive Trees in Your Backyard

Savory briny Olives are a favorite snack and topping for many around the world! But did you know you can grow your own olives?

Since ancient times, Olive trees (Olea) have been a staple in the Mediterranean landscape and diet. Capture the essence of sun-drenched coastlines and connect to a sense of antiquity with Olive trees from Nature Hills Nursery.

Not just a fantastic specimen, shade, and landscape tree, Olive trees are a long-lived cash crop and specimen plant for many around the world and right here in the US!

All About Olive Trees

History & Symbolism of Olive Trees
Nutrition and Health Benefits
Where to Plant Olive Trees
Where Olive trees grow best
Maintenance Pruning & Thinning
Olive Trees in Containers
Harvesting Olives
Preserving Olives
Outstanding Olives!

All About Olive Trees

Creamy white blooms appear in sprays all over the tree, sometimes in such quantities, the tree will look frosted! Beloved for their wonderful fragrance, they are nestled among the tree's dark green leaves, but your pollinators will find them in swarms! These flowers are also wind-pollinated, further increasing pollination chances.

Flowering is induced by fluctuation between day and nighttime temperatures, as well as two months of temperatures below 50°F for flower initiation. While mostly self-fertile, having multiples of the same Olive tree, or planting a Pendolino Olive as a universal pollinator, you’ll enjoy a far larger harvest per tree.

The Olive fruits themselves are considered botanically drupes, or stone fruits like Peaches, in fact, they’re closely related! Other close relatives are Cherries, Almonds, and Pistachios.

The exotic sage-green to gray-green foliage makes these fantastic specimen trees and airy shade trees! Adding a wonderful Mediterranean aesthetic to your landscaping, Olive leaves offer a soft and subtle fine texture while the leathery broad-leaved evergreen foliage suits even the smallest properties!

The most unique characteristic of this tree is its slower-growing nature, creating a gnarled, twisted trunk. Over time, this tree adds character and a sense of antiquity to your landscape! The wood is decay resistant and even recovers after fires. Want a faster-growing Olive tree? Try the Frantoio Olive Tree, which is also one of the few that can tolerate down to zone 7 climates!

There are 139 Olive varieties and each olive cultivar has its own unique chemical and taste characteristics. Living for 300-600 years, the oldest Olive tree in Greece is 2,000 years old and still produces fruit! Performing best and living the longest in Xeric, arid, and Mediterranean climates, but also doing well in any tropical to temperate area with adequate drainage.

Fruit Ripens From Green to Purple to Black With 1-2 Seeds
Self-Pollinating - Prolific Harvest
Fragrant Creamy White Blooms
Shade, Specimen & Container Plants
Great for Edible Landscaping
Grey-Green Silvery Broad-Leaf Evergreen Foliage
Slow to Fast-Growing Varieties
Unique Twisting Trunks

History & Symbolism of Olive Trees

There is fossil evidence that wild Olive trees appeared in the area around the Mediterranean Sea millions of years ago. As far back as the Bronze Age, humans have relied on Olives for food. That long historic relationship gave rise to symbolic meanings linked to the tree and its versatile fruit.

An Olive branch is a universal symbol of peace. Greeks and Romans crowned victors of war or competition with crowns of Olive garlands, and Olive Oil is an important element in many religious ceremonies. Spanish explorers introduced Olive trees to the New World in the 1500s and to California in the 1700s. Today, these Fruit Trees are cultivated throughout the tropical regions of the world.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Olives contain 11 - 15% fat, and 3/4th of that fat is oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fatty acid. They are also low carb and high in Vitamin E. Olives are also a fantastic source of Iron and Copper. Olives are rich in polyphenols which have antioxidant properties. The beneficial effects of these compounds include reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. These healthy snacks and frequent charcuterie board additions are only around 60 calories for 10 Olives!

Where to Plant Olive Trees

The highly adaptable Olive variety does well in the ground and in containers, making it easy to keep one near the kitchen for your culinary masterpieces! Olive trees do well in sunny areas and will be happy in soil with excellent drainage.

They’re easy to grow and are resistant to most insects and disease issues. Olive tree varieties are tolerant of drought and brief chill. Olive trees grow best in planting zones with hot, dry summers and mild but cool winters that never freeze.

Just avoid planting one near a patio, driveway, or sidewalk as the dropping fruit can be a bit messy.

But you won’t have to worry about birds eating your harvest, because of the saltiness and bitterness of fresh olives, your feathered friends won’t eat your crop. Squirrels however may eat the seeds, but they prefer other nuts and seeds over Olive pits. Unless you have cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, there’s no reason to chase wildlife out of your tree!

Where Olive trees grow best

Full sun - Minimum 6 hours of direct sunlight a day
Low moisture needs & moderate fertility once established
Can prune smaller for use as an ornamental container tree
Pest & disease resistant
Loves heat! - USDA zones 8 - 10 outdoors (Frantoio Zone 7)
Drought tolerant & thrives in coastal conditions
Highly adaptable!

Are Olive trees high maintenance?

Not at all! Olive Trees are ideal for the home grower because they are small and hardy, and require very little maintenance to turn out a bumper crop of olives. Outdoors, the Olive is adaptable to a variety of conditions, even doing well in poor soils or drought once established!

What is the easiest Olive tree to grow?

The Arbequina Olive Tree is regarded as one of the easiest to grow and is often used for patio containers and produces high-quality Olives around November. Arbequina is also one of the most popular Olives at NatureHills.com!

Maintenance Pruning & Thinning

If you decide to shape or control the size of your Olive tree, they are amenable to pruning. Needing regular pruning to maintain vigor and increase fruit production, prune after fruiting for best results. It’s best to prune established trees for shape and to keep them from growing too large. Keep an open canopy and remove weaker and less productive branches. Olive flowers in the shade will not set well, so ensure sunlight can penetrate the entire tree canopy.

Thin fruit by removing excess fruit, keeping three or four fruit per foot of twig as soon as possible after the fruit set. This increases the size of the fruit you leave on the tree.

Olive Trees in Containers

For colder climates, plant a Mission or Leccino Olive tree in a container. Bringing fruit trees indoors for the winter protects the plant and lengthens your enjoyment of your Olive tree. Try these Olive tree varieties in containers with adequate drainage. Olive trees grown indoors do not set fruit, but they are lovely ornamentals to decorate your interiorscape when enough bright light is available.

Harvesting Olives

How many years does it take for an Olive tree to bear fruit?

Olives can start producing fruit after 3-5 years of age and Nature Hills ships trees at least 2-3 years old already! Some Olives can produce small to large crops annually, while others are biennial bearing, while others yet have a decent crop one year and then a light one the next. But a mature tree can produce over 200 lbs (100kg) of fruit!

The Olive fruits are botanically drupes, similar to the Peach or Plum. An Olive begins as a green fruit that makes a slow transition to purple before turning black, indicating it's time for harvesting. This happens sometime in late November til January.

What’s the difference between green and black Olives? Other than the color, green Olives are saltier, tangier, and can be a bit more bitter, while black Olives have more oil and less salt. You can change the ultimate flavor by how you preserve them.

They're just perfect for snacking, adding to drinks, and slicing for use as a topping on pizza. Olives also produce high-quality oil for culinary uses and cooking, beauty and health care, and religious purposes.

Olives can be harvested while unripe and green, or when ripe and fully black
Harvest for oil when the fruit is black on the outside, but the inside is still green/yellow
Pick gently to avoid bruising if used for brining
You can knock them out of the tree with a pole when harvesting for oil
Olives must be cured before they can be eaten. Once cured they are great table fruit
Preserve in water, oil, brine, salt, or lye to remove the bitterness and preserve them

Preserving Olives

Curing and preserving methods range from curing your Olives in caustic soda, in a salt/water brine, or in a vinegar and oil mixture. Make sure your containers and utensils are clean and sterile, and made from non-reactive materials (avoid copper, brass, iron, or galvanized pots/utensils). Once canned, the Olives will be ready to eat in 3-6 weeks depending on the variety, how much oil is in the Olive, their size, and the method of preservation.

Outstanding Olives!

What Olive trees are available at Nature Hills?

Leccino - 25-30 feet tall - #1 Worldwide - Zones 8-9
Frantoio - Semi Dwarf 12-15 feet - Olive Oil & Curing - Zones 7-10
Arbequina - Semi Dwarf 12-15 feet - Early Flowering - Zones 8-10
Arbosana - Semi Dwarf 12-15 feet - Flavorful Olives & Oil - Zones 8-10
Koroneiki - Semi Dwarf 12-15 feet - Mid-season - Zones 8-10
Mission - 15-18 feet - Unique Fruity Flavor & Scent - Zones 8-10
Pendolino - 15-20 feet - Universal Olive pollinator - Zones 8-10
Manzanillo - 20-30 feet - Easy to Remove Pits - Zones 8-10
Little Ollie® Dwarf Olive - shrubby non-fruiting landscaping Olive

These hardy, yet fruitful trees will add beauty to your landscape! An old-world favorite, the Olive is a symbol of peace and friendship! So an Olive would be a fantastic gift for a new homeowner!

Check out all the varieties of Olive trees available at Nature Hills and get growing your own tasty Olives for your family today!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you grow olive trees at home?

Growing olive trees at home is very achievable if you can provide full sun, well-drained soil, and a climate in USDA zones 8-11, though some varieties like the Frantoio Olive can tolerate zone 7. Olives require about two months of temperatures below 50°F to initiate flowering, so a site with natural seasonal temperature fluctuation is ideal. Plant in a location with excellent drainage and minimal humidity, water regularly while establishing, then reduce irrigation once the tree is mature. For the best harvest, plant multiple trees of the same variety or include a Pendolino Olive as a universal pollinator to significantly increase fruit production.

Are olive trees easy to grow for beginner gardeners?

Olive trees are an excellent choice for beginner gardeners because they are naturally hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and adaptable to a range of conditions in USDA zones 8-11, with cold-hardy varieties like the Frantoio Olive tolerating down to zone 7. They require minimal maintenance, are mostly self-fertile, and their slow-growing nature means less frequent pruning. For the best results, plant your olive tree in a full-sun location with well-drained soil, and consider adding a Pendolino Olive as a universal pollinator to maximize your harvest.

How long does it take an olive tree to produce fruit?

Olive trees typically begin producing fruit after 3 to 5 years when grown from nursery stock, though trees grown from seed can take much longer. Flowering is triggered by at least two months of temperatures below 50 degrees F, along with fluctuation between day and nighttime temperatures, so planting in an appropriate climate is essential for fruiting. To maximize your harvest, plant multiple trees of the same variety or include a Pendolino Olive as a universal pollinator, as most Olive trees are self-fertile but produce far more fruit with cross-pollination.

Can you grow olive trees in containers or pots?

Yes, olive trees can be grown successfully in containers or pots, making them a great option for gardeners in cooler climates who need to bring the tree indoors during winter. Choose a large, well-draining pot and use a quality potting mix to support the tree's root system. Container-grown olives should be positioned in a spot that receives full sun for most of the day. Move potted trees indoors before temperatures drop below freezing and place them near your brightest window to keep them thriving through the cold months.

How do you plant an olive tree in your yard?

Olive trees thrive in USDA zones 8-11, so choose a planting site with full sun, excellent drainage, and good air circulation to mimic their native Mediterranean conditions. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, then backfill with the native soil without amendments to encourage roots to spread outward. Plant in spring after frost risk has passed, water deeply to establish, and then allow the soil to dry out between waterings since Olives are highly drought tolerant once settled in. For the best harvest, consider planting a Pendolino Olive nearby as a universal pollinator to significantly increase fruit production across all your trees.

Can you grow an olive tree from a pit?

Yes, you can grow an olive tree from a pit, though it is a slow and somewhat unreliable method compared to purchasing a grafted tree. The pit must be cleaned of all fruit flesh, lightly scored or soaked in warm water for 24 hours to help break dormancy, then planted in well-draining soil and kept warm and consistently moist. Be aware that seed-grown trees can take 10 or more years to produce fruit, and they may not stay true to the parent variety. For faster, more predictable results, purchase a named cultivar from Nature Hills Nursery, where grafted trees will fruit much sooner and deliver the flavor and characteristics you expect.

What conditions do olive trees need to thrive?

Olive trees thrive in warm, dry climates and grow best in USDA zones 8-11, though some varieties like the Frantoio Olive can tolerate zone 7 conditions. They require at least two months of temperatures below 50°F to initiate flowering, along with day-to-night temperature fluctuations to trigger blooming. For the best fruit production, plant multiple trees together or include a Pendolino Olive as a universal pollinator. Browse Nature Hills' selection of Olive trees to find the right variety for your climate and get started growing your own olives at home.

How do you care for an olive tree throughout the seasons?

Olive trees thrive in USDA zones 8-11 and require two months of temperatures below 50°F in winter to trigger flowering, so avoid heavy frost protection that would interrupt this necessary chill period. In spring, apply a balanced fertilizer and begin monitoring for new growth, then thin developing fruit clusters in early summer to improve the size and quality of your harvest. Water deeply but infrequently through the growing season, allowing the soil to dry between waterings, as Olive trees are highly drought tolerant once established. Prune in late winter before new growth emerges to open the canopy, improve air circulation, and remove any dead or crossing branches to keep the tree healthy and productive year after year.

Can you grow green olives at home or only certain varieties?

Yes, you can absolutely grow green olives at home, and in fact green and black olives come from the same tree since green olives are simply harvested before they fully ripen. With 139 recognized olive varieties available, home growers have plenty of options to choose from based on their climate and taste preferences. Olive trees thrive in USDA zones 8-11, though cold-hardy varieties like the Frantoio Olive can tolerate zone 7 conditions. Visit Nature Hills Nursery to browse available cultivars and select the variety best suited to your growing region and flavor goals.

How much sun and water do olive trees need to grow well?

Olive trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, and they are remarkably drought-tolerant once established. They perform best in USDA zones 8 to 11, though some varieties like the Frantoio Olive can tolerate zone 7 conditions. Water young trees deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season to establish roots, then reduce irrigation significantly as the tree matures. Choose the sunniest, most well-drained spot in your yard and avoid overwatering, as soggy soil is one of the fastest ways to harm an olive tree.

How to Grow Your Own Olives!