Madagascar Olive Plant Care

Madagascar Olive (Noronhia emarginata) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Noronhia genus. Madagascar Olive is native to Madagascar.

Madagascar Olive displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Madagascar Olive produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

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

Madagascar Olive thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Noronhia emarginata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Madagascar Olive prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Madagascar Olive to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Madagascar Olive every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Madagascar Olive is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

Madagascar Olive can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Madagascar 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 tree in one year.

Madagascar Olive is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Madagascar Olive can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

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

Madagascar 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.

Madagascar Olive grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Madagascar Olive is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Madagascar Olive as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.