It's no secret that houseplants are all the rage right now. Potted succulents, hanging air plants, and Fiddle-leaf figs make several daily appearances on my Instagram feed and for good reason! They are a great way to brighten up a room and bring some fresh oxygen indoors. 

Did you know you can grow an olive tree indoors? It's the perfect way to bring life and a peaceful, Mediterranean touch into a room. Here's how to plant and maintain your indoor olive tree:

How To Grow An Olive Tree Inside

Olive trees are very resilient when it comes to weather. They can survive very dry climates, and are perfectly adaptable to grow inside. If you're a fan of olive trees as much as we are, then adding these beauties to your home decor is a no-brainer. Just follow these simple, easy steps to start growing your own olive tree today!

1) Choose your variety of olive tree wisely. There are many varieties of olive trees, and some can grow well over 20 ft tall, which as you can guess probably would not work out very well inside. It is best to choose a dwarf variety, since they only grow to about 6 ft tall and can be pruned to be kept shorter. 

2) Sunlight is key when growing an olive tree inside. Choosing a spot in your home that gets at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight is essential. Make sure that the leaves are not touching the glass, as they may burn up from the intensified heat. 

3) Use the right soil and potting. We recommend cactus potting soil, or another sandy mix that will drain easily. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes, and to elevate the pot so that water can drain easily. 

4) If you need to transfer the olive tree from a nursery container, begin by filling the pot halfway with the cactus soil. Then gently tip the tree upside-down and tap the tree out of the container. Gently place in the pot and add more soil, keeping the tree at the same depth as it was growing in the original container. 

Do you want to know more about olive trees? Here are 9 Divine Facts About Olive Trees

5) Initially water thoroughly to settle the soil. The easiest way to tell when it's time to water again is to stick your finger about 1 inch deep into the pot. If the soil feels dry, then it is safe to water again. Make sure that you do not over water, as the olive tree grows slowly, especially during the fall and winter seasons. 

6) Now that you've got your olive tree planted and watered, it's time to begin fertilizing! Using a houseplant fertilizer, feed the olive tree once a month in fall and winter, and twice a month once spring returns. Follow the directions on the fertilizer for how much to give the tree. 

7) Since the olive tree will be inside, keep an eye out for sap-sucking insects. You may see things such as sooty deposits, or white waxy eggs on leaves and scales, on the stems and leaves. If you notice any of these things treat the tree by spraying an insecticidal soap.

8) You may be required to re-pot your olive tree once a year, since the roots may outgrow the pot it is currently in. If re-potting is required, move up one pot size every time you re-pot. 

So there you have it! You're well on your way to growing your own beautiful olive tree right in your own home. You may be wondering if your olive tree will grow olives inside. The likelihood of olives growing on an inside tree is unlikely, so if you want to see some olives, try planting your tree outside. Take it from us, they grow very well outside in Arizona! 

Will you try growing your own olive tree inside?
Let us know in the comments below!

Sources
https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/plants/a1444/olive-trees-houseplant-trend-indoor-outside/
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/trees-and-shrubs/grow-an-olive-tree