The home of the real olive tree, as the olive is also known botanically, are the regions around the Mediterranean. The climate here is Mediterranean with long, hot and dry summers, while winters are mild and rainy.
How should you properly water an olive tree?
When watering an olive tree, you should make sure that the tree does not receive too much water and that it does not become waterlogged. Water potted olives heavily every 1-2 weeks and indoor olives regularly but sparingly. Make sure the soil is well-drained and has good drainage.
Water olives moderately
The olive is used to a lot of drought in its home countries. The plant responds to too much moisture with rotting roots and wilted leaves, which are then often shed. Since it rains much more frequently (and more heavily) in our latitudes, olives planted outdoors do not need any additional watering - on the contrary, you should ensure that the soil is well-drained and that no waterlogging can form.
Water indoor olives regularly
It looks different with olives kept in pots or buckets on the balcony and terrace or with indoor olives. These cannot cover their water needs through the deep and branched roots and should therefore be watered regularly, but only slightly. Watering again is necessary when the surface of the substrate in the pot has dried out. However, good drainage, such as a layer of pebbles (€19.00 on Amazon) in the pot, is necessary. This measure is intended to help avoid waterlogging, as water that does not drain away can damage the roots and cause them to rot.
Water and fertilize potted olives properly
How to water and fertilize olives kept in containers:
- Only water olives vigorously every one to two weeks in summer
- Avoid waterlogging - the substrate should be moist, but not wet
- Fertilize indoor olives regularly in spring and once a month with a complete fertilizer
- Dilute fertilizer with irrigation water if possible
- Water olives moderately and rarely during winter dormancy - but don't forget this!
Tips & Tricks
Olives kept indoors like it if you spray them all over - including the leaves and the trunk - with a little water from a spray bottle from time to time.