From a purely external point of view, the olive herb does not bear the slightest resemblance to an olive tree. It's not even a tree, but a semi-woody shrub that blooms yellow in summer. But the naming is no coincidence. The herb is edible and tastes like olives. Here's how to plant it at home.
How to plant and care for olive herb?
Olive herb requires a sunny, warm location with permeable, calcareous and nutrient-poor soil. Plant it in spring, 30cm apart from other plants. Water well after planting, and then only in dry conditions. Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
Shrub for garden and containers
The olive herb, often also called green cypress herb, is hardy. It can therefore be planted out permanently. The densely branched crown, which is covered with numerous mini flowers in summer, also looks good in a pot. But in this case you also have to think about the coming winter, because a potted specimen has to overwinter safely.
Finding the optimal place
The olive herb feels comfortable when it finds the following conditions in its location:
- plenty of sun and warmth
- a permeable, stony or sandy soil
- which also contains lime and is low in nutrients
The herb bed is particularly suitable, where the plant harmonizes wonderfully with lavender, sage and rosemary. Olive herb is also well placed in the upper area of a rock garden.
Planting the Mediterranean herb
You can get a young plant commercially or by propagating it yourself. For example by sowing, cuttings or division. It is planted in spring, on a frost-free day. Maintain a distance of at least 30 cm from other plants, as the olive herb will continue to grow in size.
Olive herb doesn't like wet soil. It is important to ensure that there is a drainage layer made of gravel or expanded clay in the bucket. Clayey soil in the garden must first be loosened with sand.
Caring for the olive herb
Of course, the olive herb must be watered well after planting and until it has completely rooted. After that, Santolina viridis, as its botanical name is, requires little care.
- water in the bed only when it is dry for a long time
- Let the soil dry in the bucket from time to time
- fertilize only during the growing season
- once a month with liquid fertilizer
- only cut from the second year onwards
Tip
If you have chosen the olive herb as more than just an ornamental plant, you should provide it with compost or another organic fertilizer. This is how he althy organic branches go into the cooking pot.
Beginning of the harvest season
The olive herb is edible and tastes reminiscent of pickled olives. Be cautious when harvesting immediately after planting. The plant needs its leaves to generate energy for new growth. Only as new growth increases can you cut off more and more for the cooking pot.
