If you’ve been thinking you’d like to buy olive trees to plant in your yard (or maybe even to grow in a container), you may be wondering how fast olive trees grow. The fact is, olive trees take a while to reach their full maturity, and only grow two to four inches each year. Additionally, a potted olive tree will grow more slowly than an olive tree that has been planted in the ground.
How Tall do Olive Trees Get?
The size of the olive tree will depend on the olive tree variety. Some olive trees can reach 52 feet in high. Others stay smaller – for instance, the Arbequina Olive Tree tops out at around 15-20 feet. If you’re thinking about looking for an Arbequina Olive Tree for sale on Citrus.com, you’ll have made a good choice, particularly if you have a smaller garden, as this tree does well when pruned. Regular pruning helps keep the tree’s height manageable and helps with the harvesting of the olives.
Where to Plant an Olive Tree
In general, olive trees are hardy, but where you plant can have an effect on growth rate. An olive tree that has been planted in the shade may grow more slowly than one that has been planted in direct sunlight. Sunny spots are best, as is soil that is well draining and full of minerals.
Dwarf Olive Trees
In the United States, olive trees thrive best in USDA Growing Zones 10-11, with some hardier varieties doing well in Zones 8-9. If you live in a colder climate you may be better off looking for an indoor olive tree for sale.
A dwarf olive tree is a regular olive tree that has been grafted onto a smaller rootstock. Dwarf olive trees usually grow to a maximum of 8-10 feet tall, and can be kept smaller with regular pruning. Even if you live in a subtropical climate, you may want to consider looking for dwarf olive trees for sale if you don’t have much space. Dwarf olive trees can also be kept in pots and used to add beauty and visual interest to a patio, garden, or even a sunroom. Potted olive trees are wonderful as ornamentals, but are not as likely to bear fruit as those trees planted in the ground, so if you want to grow your own olives for eating, you should look for an olive tree for sale to plant outdoors.
Living History
Even if you can’t or just don’t want to grow your own olives, you should consider adding an olive tree to your indoor or outdoor garden for its beauty and rich history. No other fruit in the world has as rich a history as the olive. Going as far back as 3000 BC in Asia Minor, olives, their cultivation and oil play important roles in ancient and modern civilizations alike. In Greek mythology, olive oil was said to be a gift from Athena to Zeus. Today, olive oil still plays an important role in the world’s major religions, and along with its many culinary uses is even used in health and beauty products. What better way to add interest to your garden than to add a plant that has such an impact on society as a whole?
