The very slow-growing olive tree can - provided it is properly cared for - live for many centuries. In the Mediterranean countries you can even find gnarled trees that are said to be 1,000 years old or older. Basically, caring for this tree is very simple, you should just avoid too much water and protect the tree from temperatures that are too cool. In our care instructions you will find valuable first-hand tips.
How do I properly care for an olive tree?
To properly care for an olive tree, it should be repotted regularly, watered moderately, fertilized around mid to late September, pruned in spring and protected from frost in winter. You should also pay attention to possible diseases and pests.
How often do I have to repot my olive tree?
Olive trees grow very slowly, with the roots in particular tending to grow rapidly. Therefore, pots or pots should not be too large, especially for young trees, in order to achieve stronger tree growth. It's time to repot as soon as the roots threaten to grow out of the pot. It is best to add a thick layer of pebbles to the bottom of the pot for better drainage and only then add the planting substrate. The planting hole should be about a third deeper than the root ball.
How much water does the olive tree need?
In the homeland of olive trees, the climate is rather dry, which is why this plant requires little water, even in our latitudes. However, you should not let houseplants or potted plants dry out, but keep them moist - not wet! - hold. It is best to water not with fresh water, but with stale water. In older trees, no water should remain in hollows or holes, otherwise the plant could rot in this place. Young trees in particular should be kept moist to avoid drying out. However, older trees can also stand dry at times because their roots are already wide enough to absorb enough water.
When and what should be fertilized?
Fertilize your olive tree around mid to late September with several small doses of Kalimagnesia, which is a special potash fertilizer enriched with magnesium. This strengthens the resistance and increases stability, as the fresh shoots become woody more easily. It is a granulate that can be easily dissolved in water.
When and how should I prune my olive tree?
Olive trees tend to branch out heavily as they get older, and the branches can also become very long. Both of these make the olive tree's he althy water balance more difficult because it has to transport both water and nutrients to the most remote corners. For this reason, you should cut off wild growth and long, vertically growing branches. When cutting, make sure the crown is as dense as possible. The best time for a cut is spring.
What do I do if my olive tree loses its leaves or they change color?
The olive tree is an evergreen tree that does not shed its leaves - so something is wrong if your tree changes color and / or sheds its leaves. The reason is usually excessive humidity, but dryness or a lack of nutrients can also be the cause.
Leaves turn brown
Brown leaves usually result from overwatering and/or tree roots that died in winter. Remove the discolored leaves and continue to care for the tree as before, keeping an eye on the roots.
Leaves dry out from the edge
As soon as leaves dry out from the edges, this is usually an unmistakable sign of a nutrient deficiency. Fertilize your olive tree with Kalimagnesia (€16.00 on Amazon).
Tree leaves hanging leaves
On most plants, drooping leaves are an indication of a lack of water. But not with the olive tree, because hanging leaves usually indicate a lack of nutrients or a pot that is too narrow. It is best to repot the plant into a larger pot with fresh substrate.
Leaves fall off
Falling leaves indicate a lack of light. Move your olive tree to a sunnier spot or set up a plant lamp.
What diseases can affect my olive tree and what can I do about it?
Olive trees are quite often attacked by spider mites. You can effectively deal with these unpleasant creatures with a homemade nettle broth. Scale insects are also quite common.
Can an olive tree tolerate cold and frosty temperatures?
In their home countries there is almost never frost, which is why olive trees are quite sensitive to frost - at least when they are very young. But over the years you can slowly get them used to the cooler temperatures in Germany, so that they can stay outside even when temperatures are around freezing point. If you want to grow olives, it is best not to import trees from Mediterranean countries - these have completely different temperatures than we are used to and will have difficulty thriving here.
How do I overwinter an olive tree in a pot?
An olive tree in a pot can overwinter well at around 8 to 10 °C, for example in a greenhouse or winter garden. However, you should make sure that it gets enough light and occasionally a little water. The roots can be covered with a layer of bark mulch.
How do I overwinter an outdoor olive tree?
Olive trees planted outdoors require a lot of protection from freezing temperatures. Cover the roots with a thick layer of mulch and/or brushwood and pack the trunk loosely in light and air-permeable straw mats. The crown is covered with cold protection mats. Since the tree needs a lot of light, it should only be wrapped up at the lowest temperatures - from around six to ten degrees above zero it can stand freely again.
Tips & Tricks
Especially in snowy winters, make sure that the roots of your olive tree remain free of snow. The roots need continuous sun, which cannot shine through a thick layer of snow. They also run the risk of freezing to death due to the cold. It is ideal to cover the roots with a thick layer of bark mulch or brushwood in autumn.