Florivern Herbarium · Sheet HERB-06
Det. — species determination
Olea europaea
European Olive Tree
Fam.
Oleaceae
Evergreen sclerophyllous tree with peltate trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface that reflect intense solar radiation in bright courtyards and south-facing Conservatories.
Hab. — where it grows wild
Coastal Mediterranean Basin
HERB-06
Characters
Group
Herbaceous & Courtyard
Setting
Indoor / Sheltered Outdoor
Size class
Canopy / Outdoor Specimen (> 2.5 m)
Temperament
Moderate / Attentive
Animals
Pet Safe (ASPCA Non-Toxic)
Sheet II — Conditions of cultivation
How it has been grown,
and what changes it.
Irrigate deeply until water exits the drainage aperture, then allow the upper half of the terracotta root ball to dry before re-watering. Requires minimum 6 hours of direct solar irradiance daily; reduce watering during cool winter rest (10°C–14°C).
30% – 55% RH (prefers dry Mediterranean air movement)
10°C – 35°C (hardy to -5°C outdoors when root-zone is dry)
Air temperature as recorded for this species in cultivation. Cold drafts matter more than the average.
Alkaline-neutral mineral loam: 40% pumice and crushed limestone grit, 40% sandy topsoil, 20% aged compost (pH 6.8–7.8).
Height 1.8–3.0 m in architectural container; silvery-lanceolate canopy
Sheet III — Animals and households
If a cat, a dog or a child shares the room
Recorded non-toxic
Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Non-toxic is not the same as edible — chewed leaves can still upset a stomach.
The record
Foliage and woody tissue of Olea europaea are non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Florivern is a herbarium and a shop, not a veterinary authority. If you suspect a plant has been eaten, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line.
Sheet IV — Monograph
Notes toward cultivation
Sclerophyllous Adaptation & Solar Demand
Olea europaea features leathery sclerophyllous leaves coated beneath with microscopic umbrella-like peltate scales that trap boundary-layer humidity and reflect excess heat. When cultivated indoors, it must be positioned adjacent to unobstructed south- or west-facing glazing.
A Mediterranean tree
The olive is a long-lived evergreen adapted to hot, dry summers, mild wet winters and lean soils. Its gray-green color comes from tiny scales on the underside of each leaf, which help it cope with sun and drought.
In cultivation
Outdoors, plant it in full sun with excellent drainage. In containers, use a gritty mix and let the top portion dry before watering deeply. Indoors, an olive needs the brightest position available and often declines without it. Young trees and pots need protection from hard frost.
Pruning and fruit
Prune in spring to open the center of the crown to light and air. Many container olives flower and fruit only after a cool winter and in strong light, so a lack of fruit on an indoor tree is not unusual.
Common problems
Leaf drop indoors is most often a reaction to low light.
Persistently wet roots cause yellowing and dieback.
Scale insects can appear on stems and leaf undersides; check regularly.
Supplementary plates
Plates show cultivated individuals, not a type specimen. Leaf form, color and habit vary between plants of the same species.
Sheet V — Cited in the Journal
Further reading on this plant
Held in the Store
Specimens and materials
Olea Europaea — Courtyard Standard Tree
Seasonal Pre-Order
$280
Shigaraki Reduction-Fired Cylinder Vessel
In Stock
$120
Each specimen is an individual plant; size and form differ from the plates on this sheet.