Olive trees: a Mediterranean symbol for your terrace or balcony

Olive trees are not just a symbol of the Mediterranean—they are also elegant and easy-to-care-for plants that can enhance your terrace or balcony. If you don’t have a garden or live in a region with colder winters, growing an olive tree in a pot is an excellent solution. Here are our tips to help you succeed.

1. Choosing the Right Olive Tree

Not all olive tree varieties are suitable for container growing. We recommend opting for dwarf or small-sized varieties, such as:

• Olea europaea ‘Cipressino’ – a compact variety ideal for pots.

• Olea europaea ‘Arbequina’ – a small olive tree that bears fruit even in a pot.
  These varieties easily adapt to small spaces and are very decorative.

2. Choosing the Right Pot

Olive trees need a quality pot that offers both stability and enough space for their roots. Ceramic pots are especially recommended because:

• They are stable and heavy, preventing tipping.

• They allow good root aeration.

• Frost-resistant pots, like those from Provencelia, enable growing olive trees even in colder climates.
  We suggest using a pot at least 40 to 50 cm in diameter for young trees, and a larger one as the tree grows.

3. Proper Soil and Drainage

Olive trees require well-drained soil to avoid waterlogged roots. Here's an ideal mix:

• 1 part garden soil

• 1 part sand or perlite

• 1 part high-quality compost
  Place a drainage layer (e.g. clay pebbles or small stones) at the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to escape easily.

4. Placement and Care

Sun and Warmth
Olive trees love the sun. Place them where they will get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They tolerate drought well but do not thrive in the shade.

Watering
Olive trees are suited to dry conditions. Avoid overwatering. Water when the surface of the soil is dry—about once a week in summer and less often in winter.

Fertilizer
In spring and summer, add a potassium-rich fertilizer to encourage healthy growth and fruiting. Reduce feeding in winter.

5. Winter Protection

Olive trees can tolerate short cold spells, but for prolonged low temperatures, it's best to move the pot to a sheltered area such as:

• A veranda

• A cool room with a temperature around 5 to 10°C
  If moving the plant isn’t possible, protect it by wrapping the pot and foliage with frost cloth.

6. Pruning and Shaping

Olive trees tolerate pruning well, which helps keep them compact. The best time to prune is in spring. Remove damaged or unnecessary branches to ensure good light and air flow through the canopy.

7. Repotting

Repot young olive trees every 2 to 3 years, and older ones less frequently. Repot in spring, each time choosing a slightly larger pot.

8. Will It Bear Fruit?

Yes, potted olive trees can produce fruit, but they need lots of sunlight and regular feeding. Fruits typically ripen in autumn, but note that young trees won’t bear olives for the first few years.

Conclusion
Growing an olive tree in a pot is a beautiful way to bring a Mediterranean touch to your home. With a quality pot—like those from Provencelia—and proper care, your olive tree can thrive even in colder climates. Not only will it beautify your space, but it may even offer you a homemade olive harvest in time!