1. Getting started with your Olive Tree
Where to place your Olive Tree
Place it next to a sunny window
Native to the Mediterranean, olive trees love bright direct light. The more they get the happier they will be!
Potting your Olive Tree
Leave it in its nursery pot
Your plant is comfy in its nursery pot. It's best to let it acclimate to the lighting, temperature, and humidity in its new home (for at least 2 weeks) before repotting it.
2. Continually caring for your Olive Tree
Watering your Olive Tree
Water when the soil is completely dry
It is vital to wait for the soil to dry out completely between waterings. We like to use a chopstick to poke the soil from the drainage hole at the bottom; if the chopstick comes out:
1) Clean: your soil is dry and needs a watering
2) Dirty: you'll know the soil is still moist and doesn't need a watering
Rule of thumb: expect to water your plant every 2-3 weeks, and more often with more light. Having said that, soil moisture should be your primary indicator for when you should water your plant
When watering, gently pour until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom and discard any excess water. Remember, never use cold water as this will shock your plant's roots
Finding your Olive Tree's favourite temperature
Olive Trees like hot climates, since they're from the Mediterranean.
However, like all our indoor plants, they can tolerate being placed between 18°C-30°C.
Having said that, the higher up that range they are placed, the happier they will be
Repotting your Olive Tree
When cared for well, Olive Trees can grow quite large and will need to be repotted every 2-3 years to accommodate that growth
When it's time, remember that Olive Trees, like soil with a lot of aeration (because they don't retain as much water/moisture). When your plant is ready for repotting, use a well-drained potting mix that includes ingredients such as perlite or lava rocks
Transfer your Olive Tree into a pot that's a about 1-2 inches in diameters larger than its current one to give it ample room to grow
Cleaning/pruning your Olive Tree
Like all plants, olive trees will collect dust overtime. We find it easiest to clean them using a feather duster
Some common problems with Olive Trees
1. Leaves drying out and falling
This is usually a sign of underwatering combined with low light. Increase watering and move your tree to a sunnier spot to encourage uptake of that water. Increasing watering alone may cause water to sit in the soil, unutilized, leading to overwatering and eventually, root rot
2. Leaves turning moist and falling
Usually a sign of overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely before rewatering again and, if possible, move your plant to a sunnier spot
3. Pale leaves
Usually caused by low-light. Try moving your plant to a brighter spot to promote healthier foliage
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