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Olea europaea (F)

common olive

Has a rugged, much-branched habit and slow growth, eventually 4.5-9m. Leaves are narrowly obovate or oval, to 7.5cm long, leathery, silvery beneath. Very small white flowers are borne in axillary racemes to 5cm long. Many cultivated varieties have been developed from this species, some of which may fruit in UK under favourable conditions.

Other common names

cultivated olive
edible olive
see moreEuropean olive
lady's oil
olive oil plant
sweet oil plant

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Oleaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Olea are small or medium sized evergreen trees with simple, opposite leathery leaves. Flowers are in terminal or axillary panicles, and are small, whitish and followed by an ovoid, oblong or globose drupe (fruit).
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mediterranean

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, sharply-drained soil in full sun. Under glass, grow in peat-free John Innes No 3 with added sharp sand, in full light. See olive cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring at a temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). Can also be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Sub-tropical
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Under glass prune to restrict size in spring

Pests

scale insect may be a problem

Diseases

High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa. May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely). May be susceptible to Olive scab

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