Greek Olive Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on June 21, 2022

Planting instructions

Those that live in the southernmost parts of the United States, including parts of Florida, Texas, and California, can grow a Greek olive tree outdoors year-round. Those who live in more northern latitudes will need to grow their trees indoors for at least part of the year, if not all of it. In either setting, your Greek olive tree should receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. Those growing their plants indoors will need to select a container that has great drainage and is large enough to accommodate this plant’s root system.

Watering and nutrients

Overwatering is a serious concern for Greek olive trees and can quickly lead to a decline in health. Provide water only when the soil has become dry, and make sure that the soil in which your tree grows can drain that water efficiently. You can fertilize your Greek olive tree twice per year, once in the spring and a second time in the fall. When you fertilize, use a blend that has plenty of nitrogen.

Pollination

If you want to grow Greek olive trees with the goal of harvest, you’ll need to pay close attention to the fertilization process. Greek olive trees are technically self-fertile, meaning you need only one to produce fruits. However, with multiple trees allowing for cross-pollination, your olive yields will be much larger. Many Greek olive trees rely on the wind for their pollination. However, if you grow yours indoors, you’ll likely need to conduct hand pollination to produce fruits.

Pruning

The best time to prune a Greek olive tree is in the late spring to early summer months of May, June, and July. When you prune, use sterile shears to remove any part of the tree that is damaged or dying. You should also focus on thinning the canopy of this plant. Thinning the canopy allows for better air circulation, leading to fewer disease issues, and allows light to penetrate the canopy and reach each leaf more effectively.

Pests, diseases, and animals

There are a few pests that commonly attack the Greek olive tree. Among these pests are multiple types of scale insects, a few kinds of weevils, and lace bugs. However, those growing their trees indoors will likely face fewer insect problems, as an indoor location is less likely to harbor those bugs. Whether you grow your Greek olive tree indoors or outside, you should remain vigilant of diseases, with anthracnose being the one you should watch out for the most.

Harvesting

Greek olive trees are usually ready for harvest in the fall, with November often being the peak harvest month. When olives begin developing on your Greek olive tree, they will have a dark green color. You should wait until the olives turn nearly black before you pick them off the tree. Once you remove your olives, you can eat them raw or incorporate them into many dishes. As the native range of this plant suggests, these olives will taste fantastic in many Mediterranean dishes.

Achieving maximum results

The two factors that will contribute most to the success of your Greek olive tree are sunlight and soil drainage. Typically, the more sunlight you give this plant, the better able it will be to produce many healthy olives. Drainage is equally crucial for Greek olive plants and maybe a challenge for those who grow this plant in containers. The container you choose should have a large drainage hole, multiple drainage holes, or consist of a permeable material that allows water to drain freely.

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