Our maintenance tips: Olivier
Emblematic trees of Mediterranean landscapes, and symbols of peace, prosperity and sustainability, olive trees are much more than just trees. Olive trees, from their Latin name Olea Europaea , originated in ancient Greece and spread to Italy, Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. Mediterranean treasures, olive trees are the perfect plants to add a touch of sunshine to your home. The Philosopher , the Olive Tree By Charlot is the personalized plant that will find its place whether indoors or outdoors.
How do I care for my olive tree?
Where should I place my olive tree?
Olive trees are plants that thrive both indoors and outdoors. Depending on the season, we recommend leaving them on your patio or balcony, or bringing them indoors.
From the arrival of spring, at the beginning of March if the temperatures are not too low (above 10°C), we advise you to take your olive tree outside. Place it on your terrace or balcony in an area well exposed to light. Although olive trees are wind resistant, it is best to place them sheltered from strong winds or to use windbreaks to protect them. With frequent watering, your olive tree can remain outdoors until the first cold weather. As soon as temperatures drop, around 5°C, we recommend bringing your olive tree indoors. Make sure to keep it away from heat sources (radiators and fireplaces) and drafts which can accentuate the loss of its leaves.
If your olive tree is outdoors, we recommend bringing it indoors on rainy days to avoid stagnant water in its pot if you do not have a saucer.
What is the right watering for my olive tree?
Depending on the exposure and location of your Philosopher's Tree, watering frequency may vary. The olive tree remains a plant that requires frequent watering, always in small quantities.
In summer and spring, we recommend watering Le Philosophe every 3 days and always making sure the soil remains moist but not soggy. As autumn and winter approaches, you can water your olive tree every 15 days if it is outdoors. If you have brought your plant indoors, we recommend watering it once a week.
What water should I choose to water my olive tree?
As an outdoor plant, the olive tree follows some rules common to indoor plants. Sensitive to the limestone present in tap water, we recommend watering your olive tree with rainwater whenever possible. This solution can sometimes be complex when living in an apartment. To do this, before watering your plant with tap water, let your water aerate to reduce the limestone present in it.
How much water should I give my olive tree?
By Charlot plants are available in different sizes , ranging from Miniature to Grandiose. This way, you can find the height that best suits your interior between a small or a large plant . The Philosopher is available in 4 sizes. The quantities and frequencies of watering depend on the exposure of your olive tree and the humidity level of your interior. The recommendations on the quantity of water to add are therefore variable depending on the environment in which the plant is located.
Plants are living beings, and caring for them isn't an exact science, so it's important to keep an eye on them to take the best possible care of them. To help you water your olive tree, here are some watering tips based on its size:
- Standard: The amount of water equivalent to an espresso, or 5 cl of water, is sufficient for this size of plant. However, you can adapt it according to the needs of your olive tree.
- Large: a double espresso, or about 10 to 15 cl of water, will be enough to meet your plant's needs.
- Very Large: Add a small glass of water, approximately 20 cl of water.
- Grandiose: add a large glass of water, about 40 cl of water.
It is important to note that these amounts are recommendations and may vary depending on the environment the plant is in.
How do I know if my olive tree needs watering?
There are many signs that your plant needs water. If its leaves are drooping and dry, your plant is lacking moisture; water it and it will be perfectly healthy.
We recommend waiting until the soil is dry before watering your olive tree again. Dry soil on the surface doesn't always indicate thirst. When in doubt, always touch the soil with your finger; if the soil is 1.5 cm dry, you should water the plant. The soil is sometimes wetter than you think.
How can I improve the growth of my olive tree?
The olive tree's growing season extends from spring to summer. To accelerate its growth, we recommend adding natural fertilizer to your plant. Add a few drops of tropical fertilizer directly to your olive tree's watering water. Repeat this process every other watering.
For optimal growth, your olive tree should be placed in a location between 15°C and 30°C.
How to properly prune an olive tree?
Pruning olive trees is an important practice for promoting their health and aesthetic appearance. We recommend pruning your olive tree in early spring, before the active growing season begins. If you have a young olive tree, the initial pruning will be crucial during the first few years to develop a strong and balanced structure.
To prune your olive tree, equip yourself with clean, disinfected pruning shears and a pair of gloves. Here are the steps to follow to prune your olive tree:
- Remove dead or diseased branches, this helps improve the overall health of the tree.
- Remove low-growing shoots growing along the trunk, especially those near the base of the trunk.
- If the tree is too dense, thin it out by removing some of the smaller branches or shortening them. If necessary, shorten the main branches to encourage new growth.
After pruning, watch carefully for new growth and adjust as needed to maintain the desired shape.
To ensure the good health of your olive tree, do not exceed a third of the tree's total growth at a time. We also recommend avoiding pruning too close to the trunk to avoid damaging the bark of your olive tree.
How do I repot my olive tree?
To repot your olive tree, you'll need your plant, some potting soil, and a slightly larger pot (a few centimeters larger in diameter). Repotting is usually done in early spring before your plant's growth period, or about once every two years, depending on how much your plant grows.
Aerate the roots of your plant by gently shaking the root ball. Add potting soil to your new pot and place your plant inside. After adding soil almost to the top of your pot to allow for optimal watering, you can add a little water to your olive tree to settle the soil.
Your Philosopher's Plant is now repotted. Place it in a bright room and it will grow optimally!
How do I propagate my olive tree?
Cuttings are a propagation method that allows you to create new plants from parts of the parent plant. We recommend taking cuttings from your olive tree in the spring, during the growing season. To take cuttings from your olive tree, you will need clean and disinfected pruning shears, well-draining potting soil, a pot, and your olive tree. Here are the steps to follow to take cuttings from your olive tree:
- Choose healthy, vigorous olive tree stems, about 15 to 20 cm long. Cuttings should be taken from existing growth.
- Cut the cuttings just below a node, then remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting.
- Place the cuttings in pots filled with well-draining potting soil. Press the cuttings into the soil, ensuring the bottom third is buried.
- Water the cuttings lightly and ensure the soil remains slightly moist during the rooting period.
Once completed, monitor your cuttings closely to ensure they remain healthy. Once the roots have developed sufficiently, they can be transplanted into larger individual pots. It's important to note that taking olive cuttings can be a delicate process, and success rates vary.
How to keep an olive tree healthy?
My olive tree is infested with small creatures: what should I do?
Some insects that can infect your plant include mealybugs and red spider mites . Olive trees are quite susceptible to mealybugs. Be sure to inspect your plant regularly to prevent the spread of these pests.
If you have a white, cotton-like mass on or under the leaves of your olive tree, these are mealybugs. Mix one dose of black soap in one liter of water and spray the mixture on your plant. Once this is done, we recommend removing the white masses with a damp cloth. Be careful, mealybugs can be transmitted from plant to plant. Keep your olive tree away from your other plants while you treat it.
If you have red spider mites on your plant, mist the leaves with water. These insects fear humidity and will disappear.
Is the olive tree suitable for animals?
The olive tree is a pet-friendly tree. Your four-legged friends are safe to approach.
The leaves of my olive tree are dry and falling off: what should I do?
Leaves are a great indicator of your plant's health. Dry or brown leaves are a sign of a lack of water. We recommend watering your olive tree, always in small amounts. You can also mist its leaves to increase its humidity.
Decorate your interior with an olive tree
Integrating an olive tree into your interior
Native to the Mediterranean, olive trees are perfect for adding a touch of greenery and character to your space. Olive trees need plenty of light, so place one near a window in a living room or bedroom to create a relaxing nook.
Adding an olive tree to your home can bring visual beauty, as well as a connection with nature and the relaxing atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Plant boxes allow you to combine decoration and plants to enhance your interiors.
Les Oliviers By Charlot: which one to choose?
The Philosopher, the Olive Tree by Charlot, is available in four different sizes. This tree will fit any space.
In Standard size, The Philosopher is the perfect little plant for your desk. Standing at 20 cm tall, you'll appreciate its calm and peaceful nature. In Large size, The Philosopher is the perfect gift for loved ones seeking Mediterranean travel. In Extra Large and Grandiose sizes, The Philosopher will enhance your spaces and adapt to your style.
Plus: add a saucer to your plant to facilitate drainage and create the perfect mix & match with your pot!
