05 Oct Mission Olive

Watering Instructions: Water regularly and let the soil dry slightly between watering. Do not let plant sit in standing water.

Indoor Care Instructions: Place your tree in a sunny place.

Outdoor Care Instructions: Move your tree outside after the danger of freezing weather. Put it in a warm sunny location with a minimum of 6 hours sunlight per day. You can leave it in the pot, repot into a larger container or plant it in the ground.

USDA zones: 8-11

Mature Size: 20-50′

Fun Facts & Uses: Mission olives were developed in the 18th century and were widely planted at Spanish missions in California by Franciscan monks. Olive branches have been symbols of abundance, glory and peace. Olive wreaths were the prize for the winner in the ancient Olympic games.

Notes: Olives are evergreen trees that have green with silver leaves and a rough gray bark. Olives love full sun and heat. Olives need regular watering until they become established and then can survive on little to moderate water. Olives can be pruned to shape and will come back if pruned hard. Trees are self fertile so no cross pollinator is needed. Fruit can be used to make oil or pickled using lye or salt brine.