Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Olive

Olea Europaea

Design with this plant

Overview

Olea europaea, commonly called Olive tree, is revered for its evergreen foliage and gnarly trunk. Mature specimens reach up to 30-40 feet in height with a spread of 15-30 feet. Its silvery leaves and small, fragrant white flowers complement Mediterranean-style landscapes. Thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating drought once established. Olives are harvested in fall and can be processed or left for ornamental purposes.

Sun FullWater LowZones 9–10Type TreeClimate Mediterranean
Olive (Olea Europaea) — Olea europaea, commonly called Olive tree, is revered for its evergreen foliage and gnarly trunk; thriving in USDA zones, image 85

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Oleaceae
Climate
Mediterranean

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (107)

Olive (Olea Europaea) — Olives are harvested in fall and can be processed or left for ornamental purposes; to thrive and produce fruit, image 47
Olive (Olea Europaea) — tree for full; make it an exquisite and enduring choice for any landscape project, image 63
Olive (Olea Europaea) — Olea europaea, commonly called Olive tree, is revered for its evergreen foliage and gnarly trunk
Olive (Olea Europaea) — white flowers in the garden
Olive (Olea Europaea) — The small, fragrant, cream-white flowers that bloom in spring are subtle yet pleasantly aromatic; make it an exquisite and, image 57
Olive (Olea Europaea) — tree for full
Olive (Olea Europaea) — Thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating drought once established, image 67
Olive (Olea Europaea) — Although renowned for its resilience to drought conditions once established; make it an exquisite and enduring choice for, image 75
Olive (Olea Europaea) — Its silvery leaves and small, fragrant white flowers complement Mediterranean-style landscapes
Olive (Olea Europaea) — white flowers in the garden; thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating drought once
Olive (Olea Europaea) — commonly referred to as the European olive; make it an exquisite and enduring choice for any landscape project
Olive (Olea Europaea) — adequate watering during its initial growth period ensures a strong; thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and, image 76
Olive (Olea Europaea) — white flowers in the garden; thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating drought, image 61
Olive (Olea Europaea) — tree for full; make it an exquisite and enduring choice for any landscape project
Olive (Olea Europaea) — white flowers in the garden; thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating drought, image 82
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Olea Europaea
Photographs by 6 contributors

Related plants

Angelwing Jasmine (Jasminum Laurifolium Nitidum) — scientifically known as Jasminum laurifolium nitidum

Vine

Angelwing Jasmine

Jasminum Laurifolium Nitidum

FullUSDA 10–10
Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) — This versatile plant thrives best in full to partial sun and well-drained soil

Broadleaf Evergreen

Arabian Jasmine

Jasminum sambac

FullUSDA 8–10
Arizona Or Velvet Ash (Fraxinus Velutina) — Ideal for accent or shade

Tree

Arizona Or Velvet Ash

Fraxinus Velutina

FullUSDA 7–10
Black Ash (Fraxinus Nigra) — which makes it a compelling choice for riparian buffers or rain gardens

Tree

Black Ash

Fraxinus Nigra

FullUSDA 3–8
Blue Ash (Fraxinus Quadrangulata) — is a North American native and a distinctive member of the Oleaceae family

Tree

Blue Ash

Fraxinus Quadrangulata

FullUSDA 4–7
Border Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) — These bell-shaped blossoms

Shrub

Border Forsythia

Forsythia x intermedia

FullUSDA 4–10