Olive herb is not a native plant, but it copes well with the living conditions offered in this country. So there's not much left for its owner to do. A little care is enough for the subshrub and it returns the favor with bright yellow flower heads and delicious leaves.
How do you properly care for olive herb?
Caring for olive herb includes a sunny location, moderate watering, occasional fertilizing, professional pruning and winter protection. Provide sufficient sun, little water, monthly fertilization, regular topiary and protect the herb from the cold in winter.
Good location is the best care
The leaves of olive herb need a lot of sun where they are located in order to develop their full flavor potential. Do not neglect this aspect when planting, then the subsequent care will only be the icing on the cake.
Watering is rarely required
A specimen in a bucket needs to be watered at regular intervals. But the olive herb is not a big water consumer. The watering quantity therefore remains modest. The top layer of soil is allowed to dry thoroughly between two visits to the watering can.
Olive herb bushes planted in the garden only require targeted watering during the rooting phase. After that, watering is only done if there is no rain for many days.
Meet moderate nutritional requirements
Like most Mediterranean herbs, olive herb prefers nutrient-poor soil. The garden bed can go a long time without fertilization. Since a potted specimen only removes a few nutrients from the soil, it only needs to be fertilized rarely.
- fertilize once a month
- only during the main growing season
- Use liquid fertilizer or organic fertilizer (€27.00 on Amazon)
Cutting for bushy growth
The fine leaves of the olive herb only come into their own when the leaves are very tightly woven. But this can only be achieved with expert cutting.
- A topiary should be done after flowering
- about a third of the length can be removed
- more radical cuts should only be done in spring
- immediately before the upcoming new growth
- Scabbards as a cooking ingredient are possible at any time
- cut off shoots 5-10 cm long
- then pick off the leaves
Tip
Spring pruning produces enough slightly woody cuttings that are ideal for propagating this herb.
Support in winter
Planted olive herb is hardy and can overwinter outdoors. However, it is advisable to cover the herb with brushwood or plant fleece before the first frost.
Olive herb in the pot should, if possible, overwinter in the house in a light place. If this is not possible, it must be protected against the cold outside.
- Place the pot in a protected place
- wrap with fleece
- place on insulating Styrofoam
