Olive trees are not only known for their delicious fruits but also for their beautiful, evergreen foliage that can brighten up any living space. Olive trees are surprisingly resilient and can thrive in pots or containers.
Generally, growing olive trees indoors gives you the luxury of controlling the elements that your plants come into contact with, such as lighting and watering. However, not all olive tree varieties grow well indoors.
Read on to explore the best olive tree options for indoor growing, the ideal conditions for nurturing your tree, and how to care for it. You might also enjoy reading: Best Tips For Successfully Growing Olive Trees Indoors.
Best Olive Tree For Indoors
The most popular olive tree cultivars for indoor cultivation are the dwarf varieties, which grow slowly and remain small, making them suitable for smaller living spaces.
Here are the best olive trees for indoor growing:
1- Arbequina Olive Tree
The Arbequina Olive Tree is perhaps the most popular olive tree in the world and for a good reason. This variety of olive trees is characterized by its petite size, around four feet tall, and it’s capacity to produce relatively sizable fruits.
Arbequina olive trees have become gardeners’ favorite for indoor plantations because of their easy adaptability to varying environmental conditions.
Even though Arbequina olive tree is small in stature, it can grow to be quite productive with time. It is also known for its hardiness and low-maintenance nature.
2- Picholine Olive Tree
The Picholine Olive Tree can grow up to a massive six feet indoors, but they still remain one of the most manageable olive trees for indoor cultivation.
In addition, the Picholine olive tree is known for its slender leaves and beautifully slender fruits, which have a slightly bitter taste. In terms of maintenance, the Picholine Olive Tree needs frequent watering and bright natural sunlight to flourish indoors.
3- Hojiblanca Olive Tree
The Hojiblanca Olive Tree is known for its hardiness, including withstanding temperatures below ten degrees.
Moreover, the Hojiblanca olive tree can grow to an impressive five feet, and its fruits have a superb flavor profile. And keep in mind that the Hojiblanca Olive Tree requires adequate watering and ample natural sunlight to thrive indoors.
4- Frantoio Olive Tree
The Frantoio Olive Tree is an Italian olive tree that can grow up to five feet tall and arrives bearing small-sized fruits. While it is known for its remarkable crop yields, this olive tree is perhaps a little bit tricky to cultivate indoors compared to other varieties on this list.
Furthermore, the Frantoio olive tree requires a lot of natural sunlight, proper air circulation, and careful maintenance to prevent pest infestations.
5- Leccino Olive Tree
The Leccino Olive Tree is another excellent option for indoor cultivation and is known for producing flavorful olive fruits. Moreover, Leccino olive tree can reach up to five feet tall inside with enough room and enough access to natural light.
With adequate attention and ample sunlight, the Leccino Olive Tree can grow out to be a spectacular plant that will grace any indoor space.
6- Picual Olive Tree
The picual olive tree is from Spain and is the most typical olive grown for olive oil production. Picual cultivar is a great choice for its aromatic leaves and fruit. With its high oil content, the oil extracted from their fruits is versatile and nuanced.
Picual trees are rustic and can adjust to various environmental conditions, including moderate cold. They provide high, consistent yields and do well with regenerative pruning.
7- Koroneiki Olive Tree
If you love the flavor of fresh olive, then Koroneiki might be the best choice for you. The Koroneiki olive tree is exceptionally high resistance to drought.
Growing And Caring For Olive Trees
Generally, all olive trees require frequent watering and access to natural sunlight, and excellent soil quality. Here are a few tips for growing and caring for olive trees.
1- Ideal Growing Conditions
Indoor olive trees thrive better under the right conditions. Generally, the ideal temperature for indoor olive tree cultivation is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the winter months, it is essential to protect your trees from temperatures below 50°F.
Olive trees require at least six hours of sunlight daily. If your space cannot accommodate natural light, it is necessary to supplement your space with artificial light. To acclimate them before summer, you can put olive trees outside in April and early May (Source: New York Botanical Garden)
Soil and water quality are also important factors to consider. The ideal soil for olive trees is a mix of equal parts potting soil, perlite, and sand, which should be well-draining and airy. A well-draining pot with proper drainage holes is also necessary to prevent waterlogging.
2- Caring for Your Olive Tree
Proper care for stunted olive trees is crucial to their growth and production. As much as olive trees can tolerate drier soils, they also require periodic watering to stay healthy. It is best to water newly planted trees once a week. Established trees should be watered thoroughly but less frequently, typically in two-week intervals.
Olive trees also need regular pruning to promote growth and an even canopy. Remove any diseased or damaged branches, along with the branches that face inward.
3- Choose The Right Container
Choosing a suitable container for your olive tree is essential. Planting your olive tree in the new container, particularly if you purchase it from a nursery, is recommended.
Also, add enough soil to bury it at the same depth as in its nursery container.
4- Watering Your Olive Tree
During its first year, it is recommended to water your olive tree thoroughly each week. When the tree is flourishing in its pot, you can decrease watering to once a month.
Also, choose a well-draining container so the excess water drains through the bottom. When the top two inches of potting soil feel dry, it is also recommended to add more water. Remember that olive trees grow more slowly during the fall and winter months.
5- Other Important Considerations
It is crucial to provide ample space for your olive tree to spread its roots healthily. For smaller trees, a 10-gallon pot can suffice, while larger trees may need a 25-gallon pot.
Your olive tree may also require pest control measures. However, natural and organic solutions are recommended. Avoid harsh chemicals and opt for methods such as spraying insecticidal soap.
What to read next:
- Best Ways to Grow and Care For Olive Trees.
- Growing And Care For Black Olive Tree: Everything you must know!
Wrapping Up
Olive trees can be the perfect addition to your indoor garden. They bring year-round green beauty to your space, a unique fragrance, and delicious fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
When considering growing an olive tree indoors, it is crucial to choose the right cultivar and provide ideal growing conditions and proper care.
By properly growing and caring for your olive trees, you can keep them thriving and healthy in your indoor space for years to come.