Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Olive — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Olea europaea |
|---|---|
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1460–2920 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 365.8–609.6 |
| Mature height (cm) | 304.8–914.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 304.8–762 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 8–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Olives thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters — and are extremely drought-tolerant once established, but they require 200–400 chill hours to set fruit reliably. Most cultivars are self-fertile, but cross-pollination with a second variety improves yields significantly. Trees are long-lived and slow-growing; minimal pruning is needed beyond thinning for light penetration. For table olives, harvest when fruit is still green-to-straw colored; for oil, pick when about half the fruit has turned black.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0