Olea europaea aka Olive

Taxonomy

Genus Olea Family Oleaceae Order Lamiales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
The olive tree, Olea europaea, is a species of small tree or shrub in the family Oleaceae, meaning 'European olive' in Latin, and is traditionally found in the Mediterranean Basin. When in shrub form, it is known as Olea europaea 'Montra', dwarf olive, or little olive, and is cultivated in many countries including Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and South Africa. The olive tree is an evergreen tree which typically reach about 25 to 30 feet tall with a naturally slight weeping habit when young, and a gnarled and twisted trunk as it matures. The leaves are elliptical to lanceolate gray-green above and silvery beneath, up to 8 centimeters long, with a protective coating and hairy undersides, an adaptation that slows down the transpiration process. The white fragrant flowers occur in 2-inch long panicles in summer, followed by the green drupe (the olive). The olive is of major agricultural importance as the source of olive oil, and thousands of cultivars of the olive tree are known for its versatile use for oil, eating, and ornamental purposes. Common Olive can be grown outdoors in zones 8-10 or brought indoors or in a greenhouse in colder areas and requires 2 months of temperatures in the 40-50 degree F range to flower.

Common names

Olive, Oliveleaf

How to care for Olive

Difficulty

Olive demands precise care and specific environmental conditions, making it suitable for experienced plant enthusiasts seeking a rewarding challenge.

Water

Olive should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Olive loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Olive prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Olive to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Olive is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Olive. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Olive should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Olive as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Olive’s native range is Europe through Oceania.

Flower

Yes, if you provide your Olive with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Olea Genus

Olea lancea

Olea europaea Olive

Olea dioica

Olea capensis Black Ironwood