Growing Olive Trees in Florida: Everything You Need to Know

Growing olive trees in Florida can be a rewarding experience. However, it does take a bit of know-how and background knowledge to do it successfully. These trees have some pretty specific requirements, and they weren’t exactly made to grow in the Sunshine State.

We’ll take a look at everything you need to know below:

Best Olive Tree Varieties for Florida

The variety of olive trees you pick is important, as they have different needs. Some olive trees need a chilly winter season before they will produce fruit. In southern Florida, this obviously won’t happen. However, north and central Florida usually provide enough chill for this to occur.

Before choosing one of these trees, you should check that your area goes below 45 F.

Luckily, almost all olive trees are drought-resistant; many prefer well-drained, sandy soil. Most areas of Florida fall into this category. However, too much water can cause root rot, so be sure to plant the trees somewhere very well-draining.

Here’s some information about specific varieties:

• Mission: This hardy variety is one of the few that bears fruit in mild winters and is self-fertile. Therefore, it’s a great choice for most in northern Florida.
• Arbequina: This variety is another cold-tolerant option. It’s known to produce high-oil olives.
• Manzanilla: This variety produces large, green olives that work best as table olives. They do require a pollinator, and they don’t need a cold winter to produce fruit. Therefore, they’re best in the southern part of the start and in larger groups.
• Lucca: This tree thrives in warmer climates and produces very meaty olives. You can use them for both the table and oil. They do need another tree for pollination purposes, though.

Caring for Olive Trees in Florida

Once you’ve chosen a variety of olive trees, you need to care for that tree properly. Olive trees thrive in lots of sunlight – at least 6 to 8 hours a day is recommended. Choose a spot that doesn’t receive any shade from nearby trees or buildings.

If your soil isn’t very sandy, add well-draining sand or compost. Preferably, you should pick a spot that is already very well-draining. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH. You may also have to adjust these values by adding things to your soil.

Plant your olive tree carefully, ensuring that you cover the whole root ball. Water the tree deeply and regularly during the first year as the tree’s roots become established. You can slowly cut back on watering in the second year.

Olive trees don’t need tons of fertilizer. They have relatively low nutrient needs compared to other trees out there. You shouldn’t over-fertilize, as this can promote excessive vegetative growth instead of fruit production. Nitrogen is especially troublesome!

You’ll need to prune somewhat regularly, but you should avoid drastic cuts that may reduce fruiting. Instead, prune lightly for airflow only.

Other Tips to Keep in Mind

Olive trees do not self-pollinate (usually, there are some expectations). Therefore, you’ll need another olive tree nearby to use for cross-pollination. Of course, the more olive trees you have, the better. However, don’t feel like you have to plant a whole orchid.

Just don’t expect to be able to plant a singular olive tree and get fruit out of it.

Olive trees finish ripening their fruit in the fall and winter. They’ll slowly turn from green to black. Once the fruit is firm but still slightly soft to the touch, it is ready to be picked.

Olive trees are pretty pest-resistant in Florida. There aren’t many insects that bother them! However, you should keep an eye out for olive flies and fungal diseases, which can be difficult to stop. Treating pests and diseases quickly ensures your olive tree stays healthy.

In many cases, olive trees will tolerate some salt, making them a good choice for coastal areas. However, excessive salt can damage these trees. Salt-tolerant varieties include Manzanilla and Leccino, which are the best choices for planting near the ocean.

You may want to plant two different olive tree varieties to increase the amount of fruit produced. More genetic diversity between the trees often increases the amount of fruit each tree grows.

Olives from different varieties will ripen at different times, and the climate also has a role. Therefore, it’s best to determine exactly when your olives need to be harvested based on the feel of the fruit.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yarygin/iStock via Getty Images