Olive trees have been growing in the Mediterranean regions for at least 5000 years. Hardly any other plant has shaped the dry, barren landscapes more than they have. Olives are perfectly adapted to their environment and need the usual conditions to grow and thrive, even as indoor or container plants.
The perfect soil for olive trees
Olive trees thrive best on sandy, dry, loose soil. Good olive soil contains rather few nutrients, must not be too acidic and not too loamy. Clay in particular is not suitable for an olive, because the solid soil encloses the roots too tightly and causes them to die. Peat also has no place in good olive soil, after all this component increases the acidity of the soil.
Mixture for olive soil
So that your olive tree feels comfortable, it is best to mix the bucket soil as follows:
- For the bottom layer, pack pebbles or broken pieces of pottery in the pot. These provide the necessary drainage.
- Now mix one third of coarse sand and two thirds of commercial potting soil.
- Now plant the olive tree in there.
Special citrus soil can also be used
High lime content in the substrate does not bother the olive tree, because it is used to it from its native soil. As an alternative to the mixture described, you can also use special citrus soil, since citrus fruits have similar soil requirements to olives. Good drainage is absolutely necessary, because olives do not tolerate moisture and especially waterlogging. Your tree will react to too much moisture by shedding its leaves.
tips and tricks
Replant your olive tree at the latest when the roots are already sticking out of the planting hole - in this case the pot is too small. The best time to repot is in the spring after the growth pause in winter.