How to Grow Olive Tree

Plant container-grown or bare-root Olive Tree in early spring, 2 weeks after your last frost date — or in early fall once summer heat breaks. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.

Olive Tree is a long-lived plant — expect the first real harvest about 5 years after planting, once established.

Neither — Olive Tree isn't grown from seed at home. Buy a container-grown or bare-root plant from a nursery and plant it outdoors at the right time for your local frost dates.

Olive Tree requires full sun (6-8 hours) to thrive.

Space Olive Tree plants 240 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.

Olive Tree has low (drought tolerant) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.

Yes — seed saving difficulty for Olive Tree is rated difficult. Extract seed from fully ripe (black) olives in fall. Remove flesh, scarify seed coat with sandpaper, soak 24 hours, then cold-stratify 2 months before planting.

Properly dried and stored Olive Tree seeds remain viable for up to 1 year. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.

Yes — Olive Tree is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.