Olive-leaved Daphne Plant Care

Olive-leaved Daphne (Daphne oleoides) belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family within the Daphne genus. Olive-leaved Daphne is native to southern Europe, northern Africa (Algeria), and Western Asia. Olive-leaved Daphne is also known as Oleander Daphne.

Olive-leaved Daphne displays a compact, rounded shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Olive-leaved Daphne produces fragrant clusters of small tubular flowers in white, pink, or lavender.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Olive-leaved Daphne every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Olive-leaved Daphne thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Daphne oleoides tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Olive-leaved Daphne prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Olive-leaved Daphne to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Olive-leaved Daphne every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Olive-leaved Daphne is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Olive-leaved Daphne can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Olive-leaved Daphne while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Olive-leaved Daphne is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Olive-leaved Daphne can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mezereon plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Olive-leaved Daphne is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Olive-leaved Daphne grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Olive-leaved Daphne is native to southern Europe, northern Africa (Algeria), and Western Asia.