Can an olive tree grow indoors?
So, can olive trees grow indoors? The short answer: Yes, but not indefinitely. Olive trees need full sun. They will not survive indefinitely indoors, but we can grow an olive tree in a container positioned outside in spring and summer and brought inside for the winter. The brightest areas of the house are ideal for these trees, such as the living room, the kitchen or a winter garden. You can also place the olive tree in a corner of the living room to create a relaxing space, accompanied by a comfortable chair or a reading corner.Olive Trees are a low-maintenance tree when they get the care that they need, which typically boils down to plenty of direct sunshine and enough, but not too much, water. But any living plant can experience periods of stress or require occasional adjustments in care.Olive trees thrive in sunny conditions. Put them in a sunny spot for six hours of sunshine every day. No better place than a window facing south. Think about getting a grow light if the natural light isn’t enough.A balanced 16-16-16 fertilizer formulated for indoor plants is ideal for olive trees. Apply a liquid formulation at half-strength twice a month during the growing season. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer once a month. Make sure it doesn’t touch the leaves or the trunk.
How long do indoor olive trees last?
Olive trees grown indoors typically last eight to ten years. These plants enjoy being outdoors in the summer months. With proper care, it is easy to have a healthy flourishing olive tree. An olive tree will grow up to ten feet indoors. Olive trees need full sunlight, that is, at least 8 hours of direct light per day. Even less, and they’ll start struggling. The leaves turn yellow, wilt, and then fall in signs of lack of sunlight. Solution – If you have a potted Olive tree, it’s easy to fix and move the pot where it can get more sunlight.It will do well in virtually any soil, growing where many other trees will not, but is intolerant of wet, cold soil. While a fully grown olive tree can reach more than 6 metres in height, young olive trees will happily thrive in a pot. Just select a large pot and fill it with a nutrient-rich potting mix.Although olives do require some chilling for fruit set—about 200 hours of winter temperatures below 45º F—the University of California guidelines state that temperatures below 22º F can kill young trees and cause branch die back on older trees.Temperature swings can be a real party pooper for olive trees. Leaves often curl before turning brown and falling off when there are large temperature fluctuations between the day and night. Wind isn’t always a breath of fresh air for olive trees. It can cause splitting of leaves, especially in older ones.If possible, move the pot to a frost-free, sheltered spot like a greenhouse, conservatory, or against a south-facing wall . Do olive trees lose their leaves in winter? Olive trees are evergreen, so they should retain their leaves year-round.
Can olive trees survive winter?
Olive trees like to be frost-free, but they still need a cool, dry climate in winter to survive – and especially if you are planning on producing fruit, as they require two months of cold weather to improve flower and fruit production. Keep the olive tree well-watered but allow the water to drain from the compost, and feed regularly with a proprietry olive feed. If you have a balcony or patio garden then your olive tree will do much better here.Water requirements: When the top soil is dry, a few times a week in the summer, and less often in the cooler months. Young Olive Trees need more water than mature ones. Humidity requirements: Keep it as dry as possible – no need for any water mist.Olive trees prefer full sun, so make sure to place your tree in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They will thrive the best indoors in an unobstructed South or West window, but smaller specimens can tolerate Eastern light.Olive trees are tougher than you think but try and choose a sunny, sheltered, well-drained position and plant in spring, after the risk of frost has passed, but before the end of June to give the tree plenty of time to establish before the following winter.
Can I have an olive tree in the house?
You’ll not want a skyscraper in the living room – as believe it or not some can grow up to 10ft tall! One of the most important aspects of keeping an olive tree as a houseplant is the location. It’s best to keep indoor olive trees near as much natural light and sun rays as possible. Remove all side branches up to 3 ft from the ground. Normally olive trees are spaced about 20 ft apart, because that is the ultimate size of an olive tree.There’s no denying that olive trees look great in large pots on a patio. However, if this is the route you go down with your olive tree, remember that their roots grow reasonably quickly, so they’ll need repottingat least every couple of years, with frequent watering and occasional feeding too.The oldest known olive tree is 1500 years old, but the average life span is 500 years. Olive trees are loved for their fruits, eaten fresh or brined and pressed into oil. But not all olive trees bear olives. So called “fruitless” olive trees are sterile and function as beautiful ornamental trees in a landscape setting.It’s possible for a mature olive tree to reach its maximum height after around 15 years, depending on the conditions it’s grown in. This isn’t always the case, though. Annual growth rates can vary from 2 to 12 inches once the tree matures.Olive trees require abundant sunlight, ideally for around six to eight hours per day. While some indoor environments may provide sufficient light, it is challenging to replicate the intensity and quality of natural sunlight indoors.
Why is my indoor olive tree dying?
The leaves on this tree look like they are dry and brittle, which is a sign that the tree may be dead. Another thing to examine is the trunk (is it mushy? Inadequate sunlight and overwatering are two common reasons for olive trees dying. One of the most amazing things about olive trees is their longevity. Olive trees can live for hundreds, even thousands, of years! Some of the oldest olive trees in the world are believed to be over 2,000 years old.Olive trees are sun-loving plants and so should always be placed in direct sunlight, even during the winter months. As such, it’s no surprise that olive trees are one of the most common types of tree grown in Mediterranean areas.You should follow this advice over the next while to see if the tree perks up: “Make sure [your olive tree] gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Ensure the leaves do not touch the window glass, as this can burn them. And keep them away from heat vents and radiators.The olive tree has deep-rooted significance across cultures, representing peace, abundance, and longevity. In Feng Shui, these qualities make it a powerful tool for cultivating a calm, prosperous environment. A Feng Shui olive tree is especially valued for its ability to invite positive energy into the home.Most people grow Olive Trees in terracotta or wood containers being more breathable to help with drainage. Plastic pots are lighter and therefore easier to move though. But.
How often do I water my indoor olive tree?
Water an establishing olive tree once weekly for the first year or anytime the top 2” of soil becomes dry. After an olive tree is established, deep watering once monthly is sufficient. Feed once in spring or early summer with a slow release fertilizer, such as Vitax Olive Tree Feed, around the base of the tree once in May and then again in October. Water in well. Feeding your Olive tree will help it to thrive. In spring you can also give them a boost with a tomato feed.Water an establishing olive tree once weekly for the first year or anytime the top 2” of soil becomes dry. After an olive tree is established, deep watering once monthly is sufficient.An olive tree has small, shallow roots, and if it’s overwatered for too long these can rot away. Even if the tree does make it through in one piece, it might not be able to produce fruit again. If you live in a particularly rainy region, overwatering can occur without you manually watering your olive tree at all.While Olive trees can survive with minimal nutrients, adding a “tonic” of Tomato food to the soil in May and then again every 6 weeks throughout the growing season can be beneficial for trees grown in containers. This is not essential, but it can help the tree grow stronger and produce better fruit.