Overwintering an olive tree

Overwintering an olive tree

1. 01

   When to bring an olive tree in

   The RHS advises a frost-free place for olives grown in pots, so bring it in before frost.

   In a pot it is more vulnerable than in the ground: frost reaches the pot from all sides, and roots take cold worse than branches. A frozen root ball usually kills the tree.

2. 02

   Can an olive tree stay outside?

   Planted in the ground, an established olive can take brief frost in mild areas. The RHS says many olives tolerate minus 5 to minus 10 °C (23⁠–⁠14 °F).

   In a pot, bring it in before frost. Until then, or in a mild winter without frost, keep it in a sheltered spot and wrap the pot: several layers of bubble wrap or a coir mat, or stand it in a bigger container filled with leaves or straw. Keep the drainage hole clear.

3. 03

   Bright or dark?

   The ideal is bright, cool and frost free at 5 to 10 °C (41⁠–⁠50 °F): an unheated conservatory, a bright stairwell or a garage with a window. The Saxony state horticulture office gives 2 to 10 °C (36⁠–⁠50 °F) and allows a darker spot, the darker the cooler.

   Avoid a warm living room. It lacks light there in winter and drops leaves. If it does drop leaves, keep it a little drier.

4. 04

   Watering and feeding in winter

   In a cool room an olive needs little water. Keep the soil barely moist and water only when the top 2 cm (0.8 in) are dry. Soggy soil does more harm than dryness.

   No feeding in winter.

5. 05

   Pests in winter quarters

   Check for scale insects and spider mites when you bring it in and through the winter, especially under the leaves.

6. 06

   Pruning before and after winter

   Do bigger pruning in early spring as it starts to grow again, and take out dead branches then. Avoid hard cuts after August.

7. 07

   When it can go back outside

   Earlier than most container plants. In mild weather it can go out from March or April, first during the day and in light shade. Keep fleece handy for cold nights and bring it back in for frost.

8. 08

   Common mistakes

   An unprotected pot: the root ball freezes far faster in a pot than in the ground.

   A warm living room: too little light and too much warmth cost it leaves.

   Wet soil: in a cool room it handles soggy soil worse than dryness.

Common questions