Complete Guide to Growing an Olive Tree Indoors
Olive trees are famous for their graceful, silvery-green leaves and delicious fruit. Typically thought of as thriving only in warm Mediterranean climates, olive trees are now finding their place indoors! In this article, we list down a set of guidelines that are going to help you grow an olive tree at home.
Choosing the Right Variety
The most important factor to consider when selecting an olive tree for indoor growth is whether the type of olive will adjust happily to a pot. The preferable indoor grow, easy to find are :
- Arbequina: Small and delicious for olives as well, Arbequinas do very well in pots.
- Tending to be a bit more compact, the Bush Olive is suitable for confined spaces.
Make sure to select a variety that is appropriate for weather conditions in your area and indoors.
Ideal Conditions for Growth
Olive trees do very well in hot, sunny climate making them good candidates for indoor gardening. But what exactly are the essential ingredients?
- Sunlight: Olive trees need full sun—6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Grow the tree in a south-facing window, or use grow lights to supplement natural light.
- Temperature: They like to produce in a range of 70 ° F – 85 ° F (21° C-29°) Olive trees can handle it at winter-time if the temperature does not fall lower than 30°F (-1°C).
- Humidity -These trees like low humidity. If your home is air conditioned, using a dehumidifier can help reduce indoor humidity.
Soil and Potting
It is important to use the proper soil mix for you olive tree. Prevent root rot by using a good-draining potting mix, such as one designed for cacti or succulents.
- Container: Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep and has holes in the bottom for drainage. You may have to transplant the tree in a bigger pot as it gets larger.
Watering and Fertilizing
Olive trees should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry Olive trees love to go thirsty, over water is a killer. Less watering is necessary during the winter, and more frequent applications should occur in the growing season.
- Fertilizer: Apply a well balanced liquid fertilizer solution every 4 to 6 weeks, during the growing season. During the winter give it only light feed to rest.
Pruning and Maintenance
For healthy shape & good fruit production, be sure to regularly prune:
- When to Prune an Olive TreeLate winter or early spring is the critical time to prune your olive tree. Tip: Prune away any limbs which are dead or weak, and shape the tree as you wish.
- Diseases and Pests: Possible pests are the mites and scales. It can be prevented by observing your plant regularly and giving nice loving care as well!
Harvesting Olives
Only beneficial if you are growing your olive tree to produce fruit, patience is a necessity. OliveMost olive trees will start to bear fruit after 3 – 5 years;
- Olive Harvesting: Olives are purely harvested between late summer and the very early of fall. This is an easy-to-collect experience, so you can either pick it by hand or let it fall on the ground.
Conclusion
Olive tree care even indoors can be quite satisfying. Given the proper conditions, care and a little bit of patience you too can bask in the glory that is this age-old tree without leaving your living area. Growing an olive tree is something that can be very rewarding, both for the aesthetic beauty of having a beautiful mature olive or you might even prefer to have your own homegrown olives. Happy gardening!
