Where Do Olive Trees Grow Best?

Thinking about investing in an olive tree for the first time? We don’t blame you – they are stunning to look at and extremely rewarding to grow. But before you take the plunge, you may be wondering just how happy an olive would be in your garden. That’s what we’re here to help with today.

As well as giving you the lowdown on the olive tree’s natural habitat, we’re going to tell you the essential information you need to know about growing one in the UK. Let’s get started!

Their natural habitat

As you may already know, olive trees are most closely associated with the Mediterranean – but it wasn’t always this way. They were originally native to the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, the part of the world Turkey now calls home.

It’s thought that they spread to the remainder of the Mediterranean around 6,000 years ago, and they’ve remained there ever since. As a result, olive trees are happiest in warm subtropical climates. This includes countries like Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy.

It’s in this type of climate that olive trees flourish and bear the most fruit, but they can still live quite happily here in the UK.

Growing in the UK

When you consider how hardy and resilient olive trees are – they’ve been known to survive intense droughts and even fire – it’s perhaps no surprise that they can grow well on British soil.

There are a couple of caveats, though. We get a lot more rain than the Mediterranean does, so it’s vital to make sure that you have adequate drainage in place for your tree. Using the right type of soil is key, as is watering sparingly.

You also have to be mindful of the cold. When temperatures drop below freezing and the wind speed ramps up, olive trees can struggle. We would recommend wrapping your tree over winter to keep the harsh wind out.

You can learn more about olive tree care on our dedicated advice and FAQs page.

Olive trees for sale online

Keen to begin growing an olive tree of your own? You’ve come to the right place! At Olive Grove Oundle, you’ll find the UK’s largest selection of olive trees, ranging in size from small pot-planted specimens to vast ancient trees. Explore our range today and order yours online.