Indoor olive tree care guide
Olea europaea
Quick answer
Water your indoor olive tree when the top 2 cm (0.8 in) of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer that’s typically every 6 to 8 days.
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- Light
- Bright / direct light
- Typical interval
- Every 6 to 8 days · summer
Every 11 to 17 days · winter - Climate
- 10–24 °C (50–75 °F)
- Humidity
- 30–60%
- Pet safety
- Not confirmed pet-safe
When and how to water
2 cm (0.8 in)
- Summer · Jun–AugEvery 6 to 8 days
- Winter · Dec–FebEvery 11 to 17 days
Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain. Never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
Adjust the timing for the light at the plant, the pot’s size and material, and the humidity indoors. Terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic.
Light and placement
Bright / direct light
Indoor olive tree needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. Place it directly in front of a south- or southwest-facing window.
Feeding
Feed your indoor olive tree every 30 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp. Feeding dry roots can scorch them.
When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Climate10–24 °C (50–75 °F)
Humidity30–60%
Indoor olive tree is comfortable between 10 and 24 °C (50–75 °F). In a pot, bring it into a bright, frost-free place before frost. Planted out, established olives cope with light frost.
It does best at 30–60% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Overwintering an olive tree
Bring a potted olive into a bright, frost-free place before frost and keep it cool at 5 to 10 °C (41–50 °F). Planted out, established olives cope with light frost. Water little and skip feeding over winter.
Common problems
Yellowing, drooping, and dry edges often point to watering or drainage. Compare the signs before changing the routine.
Find what’s wrong
Not confirmed pet-safe
Common questions
How often should I water an indoor olive tree?
Water your indoor olive tree (Olea europaea) when the top 2 cm (0.8 in) of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer, that’s typically every 6 to 8 days. In winter, slow down to every 11 to 17 days.
Sources4 references
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Plants of the World OnlineTaxonomy · accepted name · classification
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPlant profile · full sun · drainage · under-glass compost · pests · Container size · gritty loam · watering · monthly feed · frost-free overwintering
- University of Illinois ExtensionAt least six hours sunlight · south window · water top inch dry · indoor fruiting caveat
- North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxLight · soil moisture · drought · indoor/greenhouse movement · chill requirement · pests
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