Olive trees require a Mediterranean-like climate to survive. They need a long, hot summer and a cool, not frigid, winter. A mature tree can survive temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for a limited amount of time; sustained cold below 15 degrees can be fatal.
Do olive trees lose leaves in winter?
No, olive trees are evergreen and they do not lose their leaves in winter. However, all evergreen trees constantly renew their leaves, meaning they gradually drop all of their leaves and produce new ones throughout a period of 6-14 months.
How do I protect my olive tree from freezing?
Will an olive tree come back after a freeze?
Many factors come into play in the susceptibility of olives to freeze damage. Young trees are more vulnerable to cold weather than mature specimens, and are unlikely to regrow from the roots after severe freeze damage.
Can olive trees survive the winter? – Related Questions
Can I leave my olive tree outside in winter?
Mature Olive trees will happily survive with no ill effects whatsoever in temperatures as low as -15 Celsius. Younger Olive trees can survive in Temperatures down to -12 Celsius without the need to cover them with fleece.
Should I wrap my olive tree in winter?
Use fleece protection
Wrapping your plant in horticultural fleece from December through to February (or longer if cold weather persists) will shield it from freezing temperatures and winds. As the fleece traps an air layer underneath it, it is kept a degree higher than the outside temperature, keeping your plant warm.
How do you bring an olive tree back to life?
To revive dying olive trees recreate some of the conditions of their natural Mediterranean environment with full sun, well draining gritty soils, and avoid watering unless their is a drought. Olive trees die back in Winter but often recover in Spring with warmer temperature and more sunlight.
What do you do with a potted olive tree in the winter?
Olive trees need the right protection to survive the winter. Just wrap the pot with newspaper or bubble wrap and move it to a sheltered, frost-free but well-lit winter home. That said, do not overwinter your olive tree in a heated house.
Will an olive tree grow back?
Olive trees are fairly robust however, and new growth will always spring from just above where the cuts are made. In it’s natural environment a new trunk will often grow from the base of a tree if the top growth dies. Even so, it is best to perform this type of pruning over three years.
What is the lowest and highest temperature olive trees can survive in?
The areas where olive trees are cultivated for commercial use must have an average annual temperature of 60-68 °F (15-20 °C). The absolute maximum temperature can reach 104 °F (40 °C) without causing damage, but the minimum should not fall below 20 °F (-7 °C).
At what temperature should I bring my olive tree inside?
Temperature and Humidity
For an olive tree grown indoors, a room temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is best. Because it can withstand dry air, keeping it in a heated room of up to 40% relative humidity is fine. However, the plant should be kept away from heat vents and radiators to prevent drying out.
How do you look after a potted olive tree?
Although drought tolerant, the restriction of roots growing in a pot means olive trees must be watered regularly. You should also not allow the compost to dry out. A fortnightly feed with liquid seaweed extract will help keep your olive tree healthy.
What temperature should olive trees be brought inside?
Just be sure to bring them in before temperatures fall. The minimum temperature they can tolerate safely is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and they will not survive in temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you live in Zone 11 or warmer on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, you can leave them outside year-round.
Should I bring my potted olive tree inside?
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.
Can olive trees be indoor plants?
Although this ancient species is typically an outdoor plant, they are becoming a popular choice for indoor gardeners, especially in modern country homes. With its delicate, soft green leaves and thin grey branches, an olive tree will make an elegant statement.
Do you water potted olive trees in winter?
It is best to let the soil dry out between watering. Remember that Olive trees are Mediterranean plants and therefore are used to drought conditions, and can tolerate long periods of time with little or no water. It is not necessary to water Olive trees during the winter.
Do olive trees grow better in pots or ground?
Olives planted close to a warm wall where they can bask in the sunshine will be the happiest. The olive tree is slow-growing and is therefore ideal for pot-growing; it will thrive in a large pot in a bright spot on the patio or balcony, or in an unheated conservatory or greenhouse.