Desert Olive Plant Care

Desert Olive (Menodora spinescens) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Menodora genus. Desert Olive is native to the southwestern United States.

Desert Olive displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Olive produces small, fragrant white or pale yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Olive every 7–10 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.

Desert Olive thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Menodora spinescens tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Desert Olive prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Desert Olive to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Olive 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Olive is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Desert Olive can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Desert Olive 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.

Desert Olive is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Olive can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african menodora plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Desert Olive 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.

Desert Olive grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Olive is native to the southwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Desert Olive as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.