Growing an olive tree indoors is a rewarding way to bring a bit of the Mediterranean into your home. You don’t need a sprawling garden or a warm climate to enjoy fresh olives or the beautiful silvery-green foliage of an olive tree. The Arbequina olive tree, in particular, is an excellent choice for indoor growing due to its compact size and hardy nature. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to grow an olive tree indoors successfully – covering all aspects of potted Arbequina olive tree care, from choosing the right container and soil to daily maintenance.
Step 1: Select the Right Tree and Pot – Choose a healthy young Arbequina olive tree from a reputable source [Shop Arbequina Trees]. This compact, self-pollinating variety is ideal for indoor growing. Plant it in a container about 1.5–2 times the width of its root ball (often a 15–20 inch pot for starters). Ensure the pot has drainage holes; terracotta or clay pots work well since they allow excess moisture to escape.
Step 2: Use Well-Draining Soil – Olive trees need well-drained soil. They naturally grow in rocky, sandy ground, so mimic that by using a quality potting mix blended with coarse sand or perlite. This ensures excess water drains out and prevents root rot. Fill your container with this mix and plant your Arbequina at the same depth it was in its original pot. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Step 3: Find the Perfect Spot (Light & Temperature) – Give your olive tree the brightest light possible. A south or west-facing window with about 6–8 hours of sun a day is ideal. If natural light is limited, use a grow light to help. Keep indoor temperatures around 65–75°F for optimal growth. Avoid placing the tree near cold drafts or directly next to heating vents, which can dry out the foliage.
Step 4: Watering Your Olive Tree – Olive trees prefer a bit of dryness to being over-watered. Water your Arbequina only when the top inch of soil is dry. To test, stick your finger into the soil – if it’s dry an inch down, it’s time to water. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly until water drains out the bottom, then empty any drip tray. Typically, this means watering about once per week, but adjust based on your home’s conditions. Overwatering is a common mistake – it’s safer to let the soil go slightly dry than to keep it constantly wet.
Step 5: Feeding and Fertilizing – Give your olive tree a nutrient boost during its active growing months. Use a balanced fertilizer (or one formulated for citrus/olive trees) to feed your Arbequina. Feeding once in spring and once again in mid-summer is usually sufficient for potted olives. Be sure to stop fertilizing by late summer, since you don’t want to promote lots of new growth right before winter. Regular feeding will keep the foliage lush and support overall tree health.
Step 6: Pollination and Fruiting Indoors – Arbequina olives are self-pollinating, but indoor conditions can hinder fruit set because there’s no wind or bees to help. When your tree blooms (tiny cream-colored flowers on the branches), give it a hand with pollination. Simply gently shake the branches or use a small paintbrush to dab pollen from flower to flower each day while it’s blooming. This mimics natural wind pollination and helps the olives develop. If you have room, keeping a second olive tree can also boost your harvest, as cross-pollination tends to yield more fruit even for self-fruitful varieties. It may take a couple of years for an indoor olive tree to start fruiting, but with patience and good care, you should eventually see clusters of olives forming!
Step 7: Pruning and General Care – Prune your olive tree lightly each year to keep it healthy and at the size you want. In early spring, snip off any dead or overcrowded branches. Olive trees respond well to pruning, so you can also trim the tips to encourage bushier growth (just avoid cutting too much at once). Additionally, keep an eye out for any pests. Indoors, sometimes scale insects or spider mites might appear; if they do, wipe the leaves with mild soapy water or use an insecticidal soap to remove them. Overall, Arbequina olive trees are fairly low-maintenance. Even a simple dusting of the leaves or a quick rinse of the foliage now and then will help keep your tree lush and pest-free.
Growing an olive tree indoors is a fun and rewarding project for any home gardener. Arbequina olive trees are quite forgiving as houseplants when their basic needs are met. Before long, you’ll have a thriving potted olive tree as part of your home décor – and maybe even some home-grown olives to enjoy! With the right care, your Arbequina can live for decades, truly bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to your living room.
Ready to grow your own indoor olive tree? Browse our [Shop Arbequina Trees] to get started. Happy gardening!