Wild Olive Plant Care

Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Olea genus. Wild Olive is native to mostly dry areas across sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, the Himalayan region and southern China, it has various common names, including wild olive, African olive, brown olive and Indian olive. Wild Olive is also known as African Olive.

Wild Olive displays a slow-growing small tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Wild Olive produces tiny, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild 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.

Wild Olive thrives in full sun.

Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Wild Olive prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Wild Olive to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Olive every 8 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 and well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Olive is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

Wild Olive can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Wild 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.

Wild Olive is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Olive can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to indoor olive tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Wild Olive is susceptible to scale insects, aphids, olive fruit fly. 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.

Wild Olive grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Wild Olive is native to mostly dry areas across sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, the Himalayan region and southern China, it has various common names, including wild olive, African olive, brown olive and Indian olive. In cooler regions, grow Wild Olive as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.