How to Grow Small Fruited Olive
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Small Fruited Olive
Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris
treeSmall fruited olives are ornamental and productive olive trees producing diminutive fruits, often used for landscaping and small-scale oil production. These hardy, drought-tolerant trees feature silvery-green foliage and gnarled trunks that add Mediterranean charm to gardens. They thrive in warm climates and can live for centuries with proper care.
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Example Small Fruited Olive timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Small Fruited Olive
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Small Fruited Olive
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Small Fruited Olive dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8b-11, with best performance in zones 9-10
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Get my Small Fruited Olive timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree with developing root system, sparse foliage, and thin branches; typically 1-2 years post-planting
Water regularly during first growing season; mulch around base; protect from extreme heat and cold; stake if necessary
Vegetative Growth
2-5 yearsTree develops fuller canopy with silvery-green leaves, increasing trunk diameter, and branching structure; minimal flowering
Prune to establish desired shape; reduce watering frequency; minimal fertilization needed; watch for early pest issues
Flowering
3-4 weeks in springSmall white to cream-colored flowers appear in leaf axils along branches; typically occurs in spring; fragrant but inconspicuous
Provide full sun for optimal pollination; avoid over-watering; some varieties are self-fertile, others benefit from cross-pollination
Fruit Development
4-6 monthsTiny olives form and gradually increase in size, ripening from green to dark purple-black over several months; small fruited varieties produce diminutive drupes
Maintain consistent moisture during fruit set; thin fruit if overcrowding; protect from excessive heat stress during peak summer
Maturity & Production
Decades of productive lifeEstablished tree (5+ years) produces abundant small olives annually; canopy is dense and well-formed; becomes increasingly productive with age
Annual pruning for shape and air circulation; harvest when fruits reach desired color; minimal fertilization; support heavy fruit loads if needed
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps, remove fallen fruit, apply spinosad or neem oil sprays during fruit development, introduce parasitic wasps
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Prune infested branches, apply horticultural oil sprays in dormant season, encourage natural predators
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Spray with oil or insecticidal soap during dormancy, thin canopy for air circulation
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Plant disease-resistant varieties, avoid planting near infected soils, remove affected branches, improve drainage
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Prune and destroy gnarled branches during dry season, disinfect pruning tools, avoid overhead irrigation
Uses
Olive Oil Production
CulinarySmall fruited olives are prized for producing aromatic, complex extra virgin olive oil with higher polyphenol content. The fruits' concentrated flavor compounds create oils with distinctive peppery, herbaceous, or fruity notes depending on harvest timing. [source]
Table Olives & Preservation
CulinaryThough smaller than commercial table varieties, small fruited olives can be cured and preserved through traditional brining or dry-salting methods. They offer distinctive flavor profiles popular in Mediterranean cuisine and specialty markets. [source]
Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Benefits
MedicinalOlive oil from small fruited varieties contains high levels of oleupropein and other polyphenols with well-documented anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Regular consumption is associated with Mediterranean diet health benefits. [source]
Ornamental Landscape Feature
HouseholdSmall fruited olive trees add architectural interest with their gnarled trunks, silvery foliage, and Mediterranean aesthetic. They're excellent for xeriscaping, container growing, or as focal points in drought-tolerant gardens. [source]
Wildlife Support & Bird Food
WildlifeThe small fruits provide natural food sources for birds and wildlife. Trees also offer shelter and nesting opportunities, supporting biodiversity in Mediterranean and warm climate gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest small fruited olives in late fall through early winter when fruits reach desired maturity (green-ripe to fully black). Pick by hand or use mechanical harvesters for larger operations. Small fruited olives are excellent for oil production when processed promptly. For ornamental purposes, allow some fruits to remain on tree for winter interest. Best quality oil comes from olives harvested at early-ripe stage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Olive trees can live for 1,500+ years; some ancient groves in the Mediterranean contain trees over 2,000 years old, making them among the longest-living trees on Earth
- 🌱 Small fruited olive varieties are often called 'wild olives' or sylvestris and are thought to be closer to the original uncultivated olives from which all modern cultivars were domesticated
- 🌱 An olive tree typically produces about 33 pounds of olives annually, but productivity varies greatly by variety, age, weather, and care—some mature trees can produce over 100 pounds
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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