Shoot Logo
Take a photoPlans & pricingBook a demoGet started

Olive tree care

Olive tree care

Question from Shoot User
1337 1
I recently bought a small (15 inches high) olive plant. I have transplanted it into a larger terracotta pot and at the moment it is in the conservatory. I've been keen not to overwater it, but I noticed that a couple of leaves have dropped and one or two at the base are yellowing. Any hints?
Posted: Monday 14th of June 2010 06:27 PM

  • Re: Olive tree care

    Kathy N
    Hi, Val,
    It is extremely important to not overwater so what you are doing is perfect. They cannot survive with 'wet feet'. It is not unusual for newly transplanted trees/shrub/etc. to drop older leaves. The plant is recovering from the shock of moving and this is a natural response. Also, though olive is evergreen, all evergreen plants drop older leaves on a regular basis. I am just wondering if the conditions it is in now are vastly different than where it was growing in the place you bought it from. Significant changes in humidity and light from one growing spot to another can cause leaves to drop as well. Olives do not like high humidity. Give the plant a month or so to recover. If it still looks unhappy, give it a feed but do not overfeed it. Olives don't need much fertiliser.
    Kathy C
    Replied: Tuesday 15th of June 2010 07:14 PM

    • Re: Re: Olive tree care

      Shoot User
      Many thanks for this, Kathy. In fact I've now seen new leaves all over the top of the plant, so I'm guessing it is fairly happy and settling in. Val
      Replied: Sunday 20th of June 2010 07:46 PM
TOP