Uncover Why Olive Trees Make Great Indoor Plants
Olive trees are a popular choice for indoor plants due to their attractive foliage and long lifespan. They are also incredibly easy to care for, making them an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. Olive trees provide beauty indoors, as well as a source of oxygen which can improve air quality. Plus, they require only minimal water and occasional pruning to keep them looking their best. With proper care and attention, olive trees can make a great addition to any home or office space!
Growing an olive tree indoors has become extremely popular in the last year. It is considered one of the “It” plants to have. An olive tree is a great way to add greenery to your home. Olive trees are known for their resilient nature and beautiful evergreen leaves and are a great way to bring a bit of the Mediterranean into your home. These plants bring a sense of tranquility, peace, and relaxation to any room. With proper temperature, light, water, and soil conditions, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of an indoor olive tree for years to come.
Facts About Olive Trees
Olive trees are a unique species of evergreen trees native to the Mediterranean region. They are one of the oldest cultivated plants, with evidence of their cultivation dating back to as early as 6000 BC. The oldest known olive tree is over 2,000 years old and is in Crete, Greece. Olive trees can live for hundreds of years if properly taken care of and can produce fruit for centuries! They can grow up to 30 feet and the fruit produces oil used in cooking, medicines, cosmetics, and perfumes.
Caring For Your Olive Tree
When grown indoors olive trees will be non-flowering and will not bear fruit. They have eye-catching sage-green leaves and a clean silhouette. Olive trees grown indoors typically last eight to ten years. These plants enjoy being outdoors in the summer months. With proper care, it is easy to have a healthy flourishing olive tree. An olive tree will grow up to ten feet indoors.
Here are more details about caring for your tree:
Lighting
Your olive tree needs lots of bright indirect sunlight to stay healthy and look vibrant. The plant requires at least 6 hours of light a day. While it prefers bright sunny days, placing your olive tree near a south-facing window or patio door can provide the perfect amount of indirect light for your indoor plant. You may want to supplement natural light with artificial lighting such as LED bulbs or fluorescent lights. If you can’t put the plant outdoors in the summer, you will need more artificial lighting to keep your plant happy. With the right lighting setup, your indoor olive tree will thrive and stay lush year-round. Rotate your plant 90 degrees every week. If the leaves on your tree start dropping, it is not getting enough sunlight.
Soil
Well-draining potting soil or cactus potting soil is great for olive trees. A mix of potting soil, coarse sand, and peat moss can also work and provide your indoor olive tree with the right kind of soil it needs to thrive in an indoor environment. Do not add compost or mulch into the soil as it keeps it too moist.
Watering
Water every week, allowing the soil to dry out halfway down between waterings. Olive trees do not like soggy soil, but during their growing season, they do get thirsty. Make sure it is in a pot with drainage so excess can run out. In the winter when the plant is dormant, it will require less water. Overwatering of the plant can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop.
Fertilizing
To ensure that your indoor olive tree is healthy and thriving, it needs to receive the right type of fertilizer. While they are light feeders, they do need feeding because the fertilizer gets washed out from watering. Fertilize your tree around once a month starting in the spring through summer. Do not fertilize your plant when it is dormant in the winter.
Generally, an organic slow-releasing fertilizer that contains a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will be best for most types of indoor olive trees. Be sure to follow all instructions on the packaging when applying fertilizer to your indoor olive tree.
Temperature And Humidity
You want to make sure that the location you grow your tree in is sufficiently warm and dry, as olive trees don’t need much humidity. Olive trees need temperatures ranging from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit and average room humidity of 40 percent for optimal growth. This will help ensure that your tree has enough water and is not exposed to too much heat which could cause it to dry out or suffer from diseases. Keep the plant away from any vents or heaters to prevent the plant from drying out.
Pruning
Pruning your indoor olive tree can help the tree maintain its shape and size, as well as promote healthy growth. Pruning also helps to ensure that the tree has enough light and air circulation. Prune it in the spring when new growth starts, so the plant has a bushier appearance.
Pests And Diseases
When cared for properly, olive trees can thrive indoors; however, scale (tiny hard-shelled insects) can be a real problem. Without proper attention, scale can suck the sap of the plant and weaken it. They fasten to the leaves and stem of the tree and pierce it inhibiting the plant's growth. Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or alcohol to eliminate them.
Another pest that can bother an olive tree is a spittlebug. Spittlebugs carry a bacterium (Xylella fastidiosa) that can kill the plant. This bug has killed entire groves of olive trees in Italy and Spain. They feed on the sap from the plant and excrete a sticky liquid known as "spittle" which can damage the leaves and branches of an olive tree. Remove these bugs by hand.
Toxicity
The plant (leaves, bark, and fruit) is not toxic to cats or dogs but eating too many olives can cause dehydration.
