How To Care For An Olive Tree Indoors: Genius Tips

Looking to brighten your home with a touch of the Mediterranean? Caring for an olive tree indoors is totally achievable! With the right light, water, and a little attention, your indoor olive tree can thrive, bringing beauty and a hint of the tropics to your living space. This guide breaks down exactly how to keep your leafy friend happy and healthy, no green thumb required!

Bringing a piece of the Mediterranean sun indoors can feel like a magical feat, especially when you envision those silvery-green leaves and perhaps even, one day, tiny olives. But let’s be honest, the thought of keeping a sun-loving tree alive inside can be a little daunting. Many beginners worry they’ll get it wrong and watch their beautiful plant struggle. Don’t let those worries stop you! With a few simple, genius tips, you can confidently care for your indoor olive tree. We’ll walk through everything you need to know, from finding the perfect sunny spot to keeping pests at bay, ensuring your olive tree flourishes and becomes a cherished part of your home.

Why Bring an Olive Tree Indoors?

Olive trees are more than just beautiful; they bring a unique charm and a connection to nature into our homes. Their distinctive silvery-green foliage adds a sophisticated, rustic vibe that can complement almost any decor style. Plus, for those of us who dream of growing our own food, an indoor olive tree offers a unique opportunity, even if harvesting olives indoors is rare and requires specific conditions. They are relatively hardy and, with the right care, can live for many years, becoming a long-term, rewarding companion.

Choosing the Right Olive Tree for Indoors

Not all olive trees are created equal when it comes to indoor living. Some varieties are simply better suited to container life and less intense sunlight than others. When you’re looking for an olive tree, keep an eye out for dwarf varieties or those specifically marketed for container growing.

Dwarf Varieties: These are naturally smaller and more manageable for indoor spaces. They are less likely to outgrow their pots quickly.
‘Arbequina’: This popular Spanish variety is known for its compact growth and tolerance to cooler temperatures, making it a good candidate for indoor environments.
‘Picual’: Another Spanish favorite, ‘Picual’ can also adapt well to container life and indoor conditions if given adequate light.
Young Trees: Starting with a younger, smaller tree gives you the best chance to acclimate it to your home’s environment from the start.

Purchasing from a reputable nursery or garden center will also increase your chances of getting a healthy plant that’s been started with good practices.

The Absolute Essentials: Light, Water, and Soil

These three elements are the foundation of any healthy plant life, and for an olive tree, they are paramount. Get these right, and you’re most of the way to a happy, thriving tree.

1. Light: Sunshine is Key

Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean, a region famous for its abundant sunshine. This means your indoor olive tree craves light, and lots of it. Insufficient light is one of the most common reasons indoor olive trees fail.

Ideal Location: Place your olive tree in the sunniest spot you have. This usually means a south-facing window. If that’s not possible, a west- or east-facing window can work, but you might need to supplement with grow lights.
Minimum Requirements: Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Dappled or indirect light won’t be enough for long-term health.
Rotation: Turn your tree about a quarter turn every week or two. This ensures all sides of the plant receive light, promoting even growth and preventing it from leaning too much towards the window.
Signs of Insufficient Light: Yellowing leaves, leaf drop, leggy growth (long, spindly stems with few leaves), and lack of new growth are all indicators that your tree needs more light.

If natural light is a challenge, consider investing in a good quality LED grow light. Many affordable options are available that can provide the spectrum of light your olive tree needs to flourish. For more on plant lighting, the University of New Hampshire Extension offers some great insights.

2. Watering: The Art of Not Drowning

Proper watering is a delicate balance. Olive trees are surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, but as potted plants, they rely on you for their water supply. Overwatering is a much bigger threat indoors than underwatering.

Check the Soil: The best way to know when to water is to feel the soil. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the potting mix. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels moist, wait a few more days and check again.
Water Amount: When you do water, water thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot. This ensures all the roots get a good drink.
Drainage is Crucial: Always use pots with drainage holes! If your pot doesn’t have them, consider drilling some or using the decorative pot as a cachepot (a pot you place your plant’s pot inside of), emptying out any excess water that collects in the decorative pot.
Water Quality: If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, letting it sit out for 24 hours before watering can help the chlorine dissipate.
Seasonal Adjustments: Olive trees generally need less water in cooler months when growth slows down. Be mindful of this and adjust your watering schedule accordingly to prevent waterlogged soil.

Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, wilting (yes, even when overwatered!), and a mushy stem base. Root rot is a serious issue that can stem from consistently soggy soil.

3. Soil: A Well-Draining Mix is a Must

Olive trees, like many Mediterranean plants, prefer well-draining soil. This means the water shouldn’t sit around the roots for too long, which can lead to root rot.

Commercial Potting Mix: Start with a good quality, fast-draining potting mix. Look for mixes that contain perlite, vermiculite, or coarse sand, which help improve aeration and drainage.
DIY Mix: You can create your own well-draining mix by combining:
- 2 parts standard potting soil
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part coarse sand (horticultural grade)
Avoid Heavy Garden Soil: Never use heavy garden soil in pots, as it compacts easily and holds too much moisture, suffocating the roots.

Repotting is usually necessary every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and give the roots more room to grow. We’ll touch on this more later.

Temperature & Humidity: Mimicking the Mediterranean

Olive trees are quite adaptable, but they do have preferences when it comes to temperature and humidity that will help them thrive indoors.

Temperature Preferences

Olive trees generally do well in average household temperatures. However, they appreciate a slight temperature fluctuation between day and night, which can encourage flowering and fruiting in ideal conditions.

Daytime: Most comfortable between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
Nighttime: They can tolerate cooler temperatures, ideally between 50-60°F (10-15°C). A cooler winter rest period is actually beneficial for encouraging flowering in the spring.
Avoid Extremes: Keep your olive tree away from direct heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, as well as cold drafts from windows or doors during winter.

Humidity Levels

Olive trees are accustomed to the often dry air of the Mediterranean. They generally don’t require high humidity levels and can thrive in typical home environments. If your home is exceptionally dry, especially during winter with heating systems running, you might notice:

Brown Leaf Tips: This can sometimes be a sign of low humidity.
Boosting Humidity (Optional): If you suspect low humidity is an issue:
- Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it increases humidity around the plant. Ensure the bottom of the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water.
- Misting: Lightly misting the leaves occasionally can provide a temporary boost, but avoid over-misting, which can encourage fungal issues.
- Grouping Plants: Placing your olive tree with other houseplants can create a slightly more humid microclimate.

For general care, don’t stress too much about humidity. Focus on the primary needs of light and appropriate watering first.

Feeding Your Olive Tree: A Little Goes a Long Way

Indoor olive trees benefit from occasional feeding, especially during their active growing season. However, they are not heavy feeders, and over-fertilizing can cause more harm than good.

When to Fertilize

Growing Season: The best time to fertilize is during the spring and summer months when the tree is actively growing.
Dormant Season: Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the tree is dormant or growing very slowly.

What to Use

A balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer is usually a good choice. Look for one with a NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ratio like 10-10-10 or something similar. Specialized citrus or even olive tree fertilizers can also be used.

Dilution is Key: Always dilute liquid fertilizers to half or even quarter strength recommended on the package. Olive trees are sensitive to over-fertilization, which can burn their roots.
Frequency: Fertilize about once a month during the growing season.

Fertilizer Alternatives

For a more organic approach, consider using:

Compost Tea: A nutrient-rich liquid made from steeping compost in water. Dilute this well before applying.
Worm Castings: You can incorporate a small amount of worm castings into the top layer of soil once or twice a year.

Over-fertilizing can lead to salt buildup in the soil, appearing as white crust on the soil surface or around the pot rim. If you suspect this, flush the soil by watering thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes for an extended period. For more information on plant nutrition, resources like the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offer excellent gardening advice.

Pruning: Shaping and Maintaining Health

Pruning is an important part of keeping your indoor olive tree manageable, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing. It also encourages bushier growth.

When to Prune

The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before the tree begins its active growth cycle. Light pruning for shaping can be done at other times of the year if needed.

How to Prune

Remove Dead/Damaged Branches: Always start by removing any branches that are dead, damaged, or diseased.
Control Size and Shape: Prune back branches that are growing too long or in awkward directions. You can aim for a more rounded shape or a more tree-like silhouette.
Thinning Growth: If the tree is becoming too dense, prune out some of the inner branches to improve air circulation and light penetration.
Tools: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or secateurs. Sterilizing your tools between cuts, especially if removing diseased wood, can prevent the spread of problems.
Don’t Overdo It: Avoid removing more than one-third of the tree’s foliage at a time, as this can stress the plant.

Pruning not only keeps your tree looking neat but also directs its energy into producing healthy new growth.

Repotting: Giving Your Tree Room to Grow

As your olive tree grows, it will eventually outgrow its pot. Repotting is essential to provide fresh soil and more space for the roots.

Signs Your Tree Needs Repotting

Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains very quickly through the pot, or conversely, takes a very long time to drain.
The tree seems to dry out much faster than usual, even with regular watering.
The tree’s growth has significantly slowed or stopped, despite good care.
The pot is visibly misshapen due to root pressure.

When to Repot

The best time to repot an olive tree is in the spring, right before its active growing season begins.

How to Repot

Choose a New Pot: Select a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Too large a pot can hold excess moisture and lead to root rot. Ensure the new pot has drainage holes.
Prepare the New Pot: Add a layer of your well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
Remove the Tree: Gently slide the olive tree out of its current pot. If it’s stuck, you can try tapping the sides of the pot, or gently loosening the soil around the edges with a trowel.
Inspect Roots: Inspect the root ball. If the roots are tightly compacted or circling, you can gently loosen them with your fingers or make a few shallow vertical cuts with a clean knife to encourage outward growth.
Position the Tree: Place the tree in the new pot so that the top of the root ball is about 1-2 inches below the rim of the pot.
Fill with Soil: Fill in the gaps around the root ball with your fresh potting mix, pressing down gently to remove large air pockets.
Water Thoroughly: Water the tree well after repotting to help settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.

You may need to water more frequently immediately after repotting as the roots adjust to their new environment.

Pests and Diseases: Common Issues and Solutions

While generally hardy, indoor olive trees can sometimes encounter pests or diseases. Early detection and intervention are key.

Common Pests

Spider Mites: Tiny pests that create fine webbing on leaves and stems. They thrive in dry conditions.

Solution: Increase humidity, rinse the plant with water, and use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Scale Insects: Small, immobile bumps on stems and leaves that suck sap.

Solution: Scrape them off gently with your fingernail or a soft brush, then treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Mealybugs: White, cottony masses found in leaf axils and on stems.

Solution: Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, rinse the plant, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Common Diseases

Most diseases in indoor olive trees are related to overwatering and poor air circulation.

Root Rot: Caused by consistently wet soil. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, wilting, and a mushy base.

Solution: Allow the soil to dry out completely, improve drainage, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil if severe.

Leaf Spot Diseases: Fungal or bacterial infections that cause spots on leaves.

Solution: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, prune affected leaves, and use a copper-based fungicide if necessary.

For further guidance on pest and disease management, resources like the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program provide comprehensive information.

Table: Quick Care Guide for Indoor Olive Trees

Here’s a handy reference table for the essential care needs of your indoor olive tree:

Pearl Roach

Care Aspect	Ideal Conditions/Action	Signs of Trouble
Light	At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily (south-facing window ideal). Rotate regularly.	Leggy growth, leaf drop, yellowing leaves, no new growth.
Watering	Water when top 2 inches of soil are dry. Water thoroughly until drainage. Ensure good drainage.