Olive tree

Olea europaea

The quintessential Mediterranean tree, with silver foliage and a sculptural trunk, shaped for terraces and gardens alike.

Light: Full sun
Water: Little water
Care: Easy
Heat: Extreme heat
Pets: Pet-safe

At a glance

Botanical name: Olea europaea
Also known as: Olivier · Olive tree · Zitoun · زيتون
Mature height: 400 to 800 cm
Growth: Slow growth
Environments: Outdoor · Terrace · Garden · Poolside
Pets: Pet-safe

Care

What this plant needs

For each area, the instruction specific to this plant, then the general principle that explains why.

Water

For this plant

Water deeply, then let the soil dry out fully; in open ground, one watering every ten to fifteen days is enough in summer after the first year.

The principle

A low need means a clear dry-then-wet cycle. Wait until the top two thirds of the substrate are dry, water until it runs from the base, then empty the saucer ten minutes later. Permanently moist soil suffocates roots far faster than dryness starves them.

Light

For this plant

Full sun all day. The stronger the light, the denser the foliage stays.

The principle

Full sun means six hours or more of direct light a day. These plants build thick foliage and dense tissue to cope with it; in insufficient light they stretch, lengthen their internodes and lose their compact habit. After buying or repotting, reintroduce direct sun gradually over ten to fifteen days to avoid scorch.

Feeding

For this plant

One application of organic fertiliser in spring and a second in early summer. Avoid excess nitrogen.

The principle

A slow grower consumes little: two or three half-strength feeds between April and August are enough. Over-feeding does not speed it up — it burns the roots and leaves a white crust on the substrate. Repotting every three years renews most of its reserves.

Temperature

For this plant

Handles 45 °C as well as brief frosts down to −8 °C. Shelter young potted specimens on cold nights in Fes or Meknes.

The principle

This plant takes Moroccan heat peaks, chergui included, without lasting damage. Above 40 °C it simply pauses its growth: that is a protection, not a sign of distress. Cold exposes it more — watch winter nights at altitude and inland.

Yearly rhythm

Indicative calendar

Calendar derived from the plant's profile — water need, heat tolerance, environment and growth rate — applied to the Moroccan climate; adjust it to your city, your exposure and your substrate.

Indicative twelve-month care calendar
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Watering	Watering in January: Reduced	Watering in February: Reduced	Watering in March: Reduced	Watering in April: Reduced	Watering in May: Reduced	Watering in June: Regular	Watering in July: Regular	Watering in August: Regular	Watering in September: Regular	Watering in October: Reduced	Watering in November: Reduced	Watering in December: Reduced
Feeding	Feeding in January: Nothing to do	Feeding in February: Nothing to do	Feeding in March: Reduced	Feeding in April: Reduced	Feeding in May: Reduced	Feeding in June: Reduced	Feeding in July: Reduced	Feeding in August: Reduced	Feeding in September: Reduced	Feeding in October: Nothing to do	Feeding in November: Nothing to do	Feeding in December: Nothing to do
Pruning	Pruning in January: Nothing to do	Pruning in February: Regular	Pruning in March: Regular	Pruning in April: Nothing to do	Pruning in May: Nothing to do	Pruning in June: Nothing to do	Pruning in July: Nothing to do	Pruning in August: Nothing to do	Pruning in September: Nothing to do	Pruning in October: Nothing to do	Pruning in November: Nothing to do	Pruning in December: Nothing to do

IntensityNothing to doReducedRegularSustained

Morocco

Where this plant thrives in Morocco

Our observations city by city, crossed with the local climate. A city that is missing is not a refusal: it simply has not been documented for this plant yet.

Thrives

Marrakechinland · dry air · 45 °C in summer, 4 °C in winter
Fezinland · dry air · 42 °C in summer, 2 °C in winter
Meknesinland · dry air · 41 °C in summer, 2 °C in winter
Beni Mellalinland · dry air · 43 °C in summer, 3 °C in winter
Casablancacoastal · moderate humidity · 33 °C in summer, 7 °C in winter
Agadircoastal · moderate humidity · 34 °C in summer, 8 °C in winter
Oujdainland · dry air · 41 °C in summer, 1 °C in winter

Well suited

Rabatcoastal · moderate humidity · 33 °C in summer, 6 °C in winter
Essaouiracoastal · humid air · 27 °C in summer, 9 °C in winter
Tangiercoastal · humid air · 31 °C in summer, 8 °C in winter
Saficoastal · moderate humidity · 33 °C in summer, 7 °C in winter
El Jadidacoastal · moderate humidity · 32 °C in summer, 7 °C in winter

Possible with care

Laayounecoastal · dry air · 42 °C in summer, 9 °C in winter

We deliver to all of these cities.

Diagnosis

Three signals worth reading

The three most common disorders on a plant with this profile, and the move that corrects them.

1
What you see
Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping at the slightest touch while the surface still feels fresh.
Likely cause
Watering too close together: the roots never get to breathe between two doses.
The right move
Switch to a clear cycle — dry through two thirds of the depth, then a thorough watering with full drainage. Always empty the saucer and raise the pot on feet if needed.
2
What you see
Stems stretching towards the window, long internodes, new leaves smaller and paler.
Likely cause
Not enough light. A full-sun plant three metres from a window receives less than a tenth of what it asks for.
The right move
Move it to the brightest glazing or out onto a balcony, reacclimatising it to direct sun over two weeks. Cut back the stretched shoots: it will regrow compact.
3
What you see
Grey dust on the foliage, growth slowing with no obvious cause.
Likely cause
A dusty blade captures markedly less light, and city dust in Morocco builds up fast.
The right move
Wipe the leaves with a damp sponge every month, upper and lower surfaces. Avoid leaf-shine products, which block the stomata.