Narrowleaf Mock Privet Plant Care

Narrowleaf Mock Privet (Phillyrea angustifolia) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Phillyrea genus. Narrowleaf Mock Privet is native to the western and central Mediterranean. Narrowleaf Mock Privet is also known as Mediterranean Mock Privet, False Olive.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Narrowleaf Mock Privet produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Phillyrea angustifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Narrowleaf Mock Privet prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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 to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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 Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broad-leaved mock privet plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Narrowleaf Mock Privet 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.

Narrowleaf Mock Privet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Narrowleaf Mock Privet is native to the western and central Mediterranean. In cooler regions, grow Narrowleaf Mock Privet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.