What's the ideal container size for potted olives?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.How to grow olives in container pots begins with identifying the perfect home for them. A 15-20 gallon container allows the roots to breathe while still making it manageable to keep a small tree. I grew my first Arbequina in a whiskey barrel for 12 years, and it proved size did not matter nearly as much as the consistency of care.
Soil & Drainage
- Use cactus mix blended with 30% perlite
- Add 2" (5cm) gravel base below rootball
- Test drainage: 1 gallon (3.8L) water drains in 5 minutes
Root Management
- Prune roots every 3 years in early spring
- Trim 25% of outer roots with sterile shears
- Refresh soil completely during repotting
Light requirements present complications for all indoor growers. My client in Seattle allowed the tree to bear fruit under LED grow lights situated 12" (30cm) above the leaves. Rotate the pots weekly so each side gets an even exposure. If you have a south-facing window, it also works, but it is best to put artificial lighting on in the mornings during the dark winters for supplemental light.
Winter Protection
- Move indoors below 25°F (-4°C)
- Reduce watering to 1x/month
- Use humidity trays for dry indoor air
Summer Growth
- Water 2-3x weekly in 90°F+ (32°C)
- Apply liquid seaweed fertilizer biweekly
- Check for spider mites on new growth
There are two common mistakes: overpotting and stagnant soil. A client recently lost a tree in a 30-gallon pot (somewhat dense for its size). Start small and work up. I repot every 3 years and increase 5 gallons each time. This mimics a reasonable root progression in nature without shocking the tree.
Olive trees grown in containers for the long term serve as sculptural marvels. My oldest container tree has grown to 8ft (2.4m) after 15 years, but I keep it in shape by simply whacking it back every year. These living heirlooms will conform to your lifestyle - relocate them between homes, climates, and gardens with ease.
Read the full article: How to Grow Olives: Step-by-Step Guide for Home Gardeners
