

The Olive Tree (Olea Europaea 'Mission') is an excellent ornamental indoor tree with silvery-leafed branches. This low-water beauty enjoys direct sunlight and low humidity. Our indoor olive tree is a cold-resistant variety, so you can plant it in the garden where it can grow 20-30 feet tall. Enjoy its tasty fruit in the fall from late October through November.
Olive Tree Care Guide & Plant Insights

Enjoys full sun
Use filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough that the water discharges out of the drainage holes. Once the water is fully drained, replace it into the cache or decorative pot.
Requires no extra humidity
Keep this plant in a greenhouse where the temperature is a comfortable 65°F-80°F and avoid cold drafts below 40°F.
Outside: Keep it in full sun (6-8 hours) on a patio where nights are above 40°F.
Apply at half-strength a balanced, liquid fertilizer especially formulated for indoor plants twice per month during the growing season between April and August. A slow release balanced fertilizer can be used as a top dressing instead of a liquid fertilizer. Avoid contact with the leaves to prevent leaf burn. Wash off the leaves if any fertilizer splashes onto them.
When receiving the Olive plant, give it a few weeks to acclimate to the environment before planting it in the ground. Dig the hole twice as wide and only the depth of the grower pot. Add a rooting hormone to the native soil mix. If you have compacted soil, consider adding some compost to the native mix for better aeration. Place the plant in the middle of the hole and water. Let drain and then fill with the native soil and compost. Water again and pack down around the roots.
If planting into a container, repot using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.) Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Use a succulent or cacti indoor potting mix with perlite to help drainage. Water your plant in the old pot before transferring and let it sit for an hour. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim them off with sterile pruners. Cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling if the plant is rootbound. Ensure the plant sits about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over. Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil. Let the water drain thoroughly between the waterings.
Prune your olive plant in late spring and early summer. Prune its branches to keep it an attractive appearance. Use sterilized and sharp hand pruners to cut the stem at a 45° angle, 1/4-inch above where a leaf attaches to a limb.
In the growing season, hydrate the plant the night before taking cuttings. Take a young stem cutting between 4-6 inches long with several sets of leaves attached. Make the cut 1/4-inch below one of the sets of leaves.
Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes (the spot where the leaves were attached)
Dip the end of the cuttings in water, then in a rooting hormone.
Use a pot with drainage. and place the stem 1-2 inches down into the damp, well-draining, moist potting soil mix amended with perlite. Tamp down around the stem securing it.
Place a clear plastic bag over the cutting to mimic a greenhouse and mist the bag. Set it in bright, indirect sunlight while they are rooting.
Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish.
After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to establish. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are secure. Cut a slit in the plastic bag and continue to keep the plant's soil damp until rooting has developed. This will help acclimate the plant to normal humidity levels.
Once the roots are secure, transplant to its new home and place it in bright, indirect sunlight and water it each week, providing it necessary temperatures and humidity.
Olive Tree: Overview
If you’d like to add a touch of the Mediterranean to your home, the latest houseplant craze could be right up your street - the Olive Tree (Olea Europaea ‘Mission’). This indoor olive tree variety is a member of the Oleaceae family, is pet-safe and produces tasty fruit.
Olive trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for their fruit and the oil they produce. They’re also known as the Tree of Eternity, and culturally, they’re associated with peace offerings and goodwill.
These botanical beauties come from the Mediterranean region, where the weather is toasty. The olive tree can be cultivated in hardy zones 9/10 and warmer, but it's unhappy if the temperature drops below 20°F. So, if you live somewhere that puts you out of the running for olive trees outdoors, growing an indoor olive tree is the ideal option. You can keep it indoors during the winter and move the plant outdoors as summer arrives.
The olive tree can grow 20 feet or taller in their natural habitat. However, you can keep an indoor olive tree smaller when potted in a container.
There are other fruiting varieties, such as Manazanilla, Amfissa, and Arbequina Olive trees. Furthermore, if you want a decorative variant, the gorgeous and compact Dwarf Olive Tree might be just what you want.
Olive Tree: Benefits
- Help clean and purify the indoor air by absorbing toxins
- Add life and beauty to any space
- Bring prosperity and wealth, according to Feng Shui
- Many varieties produce edible fruit
Olive Tree Care Guide
Olive tree care is easy even in indoor environments. Provide the right conditions, mimicking the plant's natural habitat and you'll see that an indoor olive tree is a remarkably low-maintenance plant.
Light and Water
Place your indoor olive tree in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It prefers direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Olive trees are drought-tolerant, so avoid overwatering.
Soil and Fertilizing
Use well-draining soil for your olive tree to prevent waterlogging. A mix of potting soil and sand works well. During the growth season (spring and summer), feed your olive tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Olive Tree Indoor: Temperature and Humidity
The olive tree prefers warm temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). It can adapt well to indoor humidity, but occasional misting can be beneficial.
Pruning, Propagating, and Repotting
Prune your olive tree to maintain its shape and remove dead branches. Clean the leaves regularly. Olive trees can be propagated from cuttings. Root them in a well-draining medium. Repot your olive tree every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its container.
Olive Tree: Common Problems
Watch for spider mites and scale insects. Treat with neem oil. Yellowing leaves on your indoor olive tree may indicate overwatering, so adjust your watering habits.
Indoor Olive Tree: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
Indoor olive trees bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your living spaces with their elegant foliage and symbolic significance. These hardy trees add aesthetic appeal and allow you to cultivate your own olives.
Best Locations & Uses
- Ideal as a focal point and centerpiece in your living room
- Olive trees are suitable for growing as porch plants in warmer, hardy zones
- With its aromatic leaves, the olive tree is the perfect addition to your kitchen greenery
- Forgiving and easy to care for, the olive tree is beginner-friendly
- Olive trees are pet-friendly and safe for cats and dogs
Companion Plants
Enhance the vibrancy of your olive tree indoor by strategically selecting companion plants that complement its Mediterranean charm and contribute to a harmonious indoor ecosystem.
- Lavender Primavera (Lavandula stoechas “Primavera”): Cultivate a sensory haven with lavender's aromatic blooms. They pair well with the subtle fragrance of olive leaves and add a touch of elegance to your space.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The popular ZZ Plant enjoys similar growing conditions like the much-loved olive tree; it needs low humidity and infrequent watering.
- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): Pair your olive tree with low-maintenance succulents to introduce a modern touch. The Aloe Vera Plant is a must-have, enhancing the visual appeal and creating a balanced green display.
Alternative Plants
Consider these alternative to the olive tree plants to diversify your indoor garden, ensuring a delightful and pet-friendly environment.
- Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus): Introduce a tropical flair to enrich your space with visual interest! The Pineapple Plant offers striking foliage and the potential for a mini fruit harvest.
- Dwarf Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata): Elevate your indoor garden with the lush and compact beauty of the Dwarf Cavendish Banana, providing a touch of the tropics and a potential for homegrown bananas.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Opt for the Spider Plant, known for its air-purifying qualities and arching, variegated leaves, adding a refreshing and adaptable green companion to your indoor landscape.
Buy LivelyRoot’s Olive Tree and Expand Your Indoor Garden
Ready to elevate your interior with the beauty of an indoor olive tree from Lively Root? Enhance your living space with this evergreen's timeless elegance!