Olive Tree Care Guide: Brisbane & South-East Queensland

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Frequently Asked Questions: Olive Tree Care

Practical advise for growing olive trees in Brisbane and South-East Queensland, including planting watering, pruning, feeding, growing in pots or choosing the right position.

Olive trees are one of our favourite feature trees for Brisbane gardens. Their silver-green foliage and naturally sculptural shape work particularly well in Mediterranean, coastal, contemporary and formal gardens.

We regularly supply advanced olive trees for front gardens, entrances, courtyards, large pots, rows and statement planting throughout SE QLD. 

They grow very well here, but there is one thing we always tell customers: in Brisbane, drainage matters.

Our warm climate is not generally the problem. A poorly drained position, particularly through prolonged wet weather, is far more likely to cause trouble.

Do olive trees grow well in Brisbane and SE QLD?

Yes. Olive trees can grow extremely well in Brisbane and South-East Queensland when they are given plenty of sun and excellent drainage.

Once established, they handle our heat and dry periods well.

The bigger challenge in SE QLD is our combination of rainfall, humidity and heavy soils. Olives don't like sitting with wet roots for long periods, particularly in a sheltered position with poor airflow.

Give them full sun, good drainage and room to breathe and they are generally a tough, reliable tree.

What position is best for an olive tree? 

Full Sun.

Ideally, we want an olive tree receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight, including good winter sun.

During a consult, we look for:

• full sun
• an open position with good airflow
• free-draining soil
• somewhere water doesn't sit after heavy rain
• enough room for the canopy to develop
• easy access for pruning and maintenance

Olives work particularly well for:

• feature planting
• front gardens
• courtyards
• large pots
• Mediterranean-style gardens
• coastal-style gardens
• formal rows and avenues
• informal screening
• paired entrance planting
• topiary and shaped specimens

Avoid indoors, deep shade, permanently damp areas and low points where water collects.

What soil is best for olive trees?

Free drainage is the priority.

This is particularly important in Brisbane, where heavy clay, compacted ground and periods of very heavy rain can cause problems for olives.

When we're planting into poor or heavily compacted ground, Michael and the team will often remove the unsuitable soil and prepare a much more freely draining planting zone, using drainage material such as rock where appropriate and quality potting medium around the root zone.

The important point is that the planting area itself must be able to drain. We don't want to create a hole in heavy clay that simply fills with water.

Before planting, check:

• Is the ground heavily compacted?
• Where will water go after heavy rain?
• After watering, does water currently sit in this area or drain away?
• Is there heavy clay beneath the planting position?
• Has the site been filled or compacted during building or landscaping?
• Is the surrounding soil suitable for new roots to grow into?

Don't plant an olive deeply.

The top of the root ball should not disappear underneath additional soil. Planting too deeply can leave the trunk and upper root system constantly damp and create problems that are difficult to correct later.

The opposite can also cause trouble. The tree needs to be planted firmly enough that the root ball is properly supported and there are no large loose air pockets around it.

For larger 45L and 100L olives in particular, take the time to prepare the planting position properly before the tree goes in. Ask Mike for advise or request the 'how to prepare my planting site brochure'.

What is the best time to plant an olive tree in Brisbane?

There isn't one perfect planting month for every olive.

The age and maturity of the tree matter as well as the weather.

A well-established advanced olive can be more resilient than a very young tree. Young olives can struggle if planted into conditions that are too cold, wet or otherwise stressful, so we take the size and maturity of the tree into account when recommending when to plant.

For many established olives, autumn is an excellent planting period in Brisbane. The soil is still warm, the worst summer heat is easing and the tree has time to establish.

Winter can also be suitable for established trees, but younger plants may need more consideration depending on the site and conditions.

Spring is another good planting period, although Brisbane can become hot quickly. Trees planted in spring need close attention to watering as temperatures rise.

Whatever the season, avoid planting immediately before extreme conditions if you can. Establishment is much easier when a newly planted tree isn't immediately dealing with excessive heat, prolonged wet weather or other environmental stress. 

When should I prune an olive tree?

Olive trees respond very well to pruning, and regular light pruning is one of the best ways to develop the dense, rounded canopy many of our customers are looking for.

In Brisbane, we generally use pruning to:

• encourage branching
• thicken the canopy
• maintain a balanced shape
• develop a clean, rounded or "lollipop" form
• remove dead, damaged or crossing branches
• improve airflow
• control overall size

Late winter and early spring are useful times for more significant shaping as the tree heads into active growth.

Once the tree is actively growing, light tip pruning through the growing season can encourage further branching and help maintain a compact canopy.

We would avoid a major prune during extreme summer heat.

If you're growing olives primarily for fruit rather than as ornamental trees, pruning needs to take fruiting into account as well.

How fast do olive trees grow in Brisbane?

Olives are generally moderate to reasonably fast growers in Brisbane when conditions are right.

We see their strongest growth from spring through the warmer months when they have:

• plenty of sunlight
• good drainage
• adequate water
• appropriate feeding
• healthy roots

A young olive planted in the ground will generally establish and grow faster than the same tree kept in a restricted pot.

At our Brisbane nursery, we find the biggest difference isn't simply the variety — it's the growing position. An olive in full sun with healthy roots can develop very differently from one struggling in shade or wet soil.

How should I plant an advanced olive tree?

For an advanced olive, don't just dig a hole the same size as the pot and drop the tree into it.

Prepare the site first. Good preparation makes a big difference, particularly with advanced 45L and 100L olives.

Michael's approach is to look at the existing ground and drainage before deciding how the planting area should be prepared.

Michael generally recommends:

• Dig the hole approximately twice the width of the root ball.
• In heavy or compacted Brisbane soils, remove poor soil and make sure the planting area can drain freely. Where needed, improve drainage with rock.
• Backfill with a quality planting medium, firming gently around the root ball so the tree isn't sitting loosely in the ground.
• Keep the top of the root ball approximately level with the surrounding soil — don't bury the tree too deeply.
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• Give the tree a Seasol treatment after planting to help with transplant/root shock, following the product directions.
• Mulch around the tree, keeping mulch clear of the trunk.

For very young olives, planting time matters too. Young trees can be more susceptible to cold and other environmental stress, while established advanced olives are generally more resilient.

The biggest thing we look for in Brisbane is drainage. An olive will tolerate plenty of heat once established, but it won't appreciate sitting in wet, poorly drained soil.

With advanced trees, getting the planting right on day one can make a considerable difference to establishment.

How often should I water a  a newly planted 45L, 100L, 200L or established olive tree in Brisbane?

This is one of the questions we're asked most often, and there isn't one watering schedule that works for every garden.

A newly planted 45L, 100L or 200L olive needs consistent watering while its roots establish into the surrounding soil.

During approximately the first 4–8 weeks, check the tree regularly and water deeply when required. Watering or setting irrigation systems to water relevant to tree size. During hot, dry or windy weather, that may mean watering deeply daily or every second day initially.

But don't simply water every day because the calendar says so.

Check the soil.

The amount of water an olive needs depends on:

• temperature
• rainfall
• soil type
• drainage
• sun exposure
• wind
• tree size
• whether it is planted in the ground or a pot

The aim is moist soil while the tree establishes — not permanently wet soil.

This distinction is particularly important in Brisbane. After heavy rain, an olive growing in clay may need no additional water for some time, while an olive in a large exposed pot may dry quickly.

As the root system establishes, gradually reduce the frequency and water more deeply.

Do olive trees need fertiliser?

Yes, but olives don't need excessive feeding.

For ornamental olives, we generally want healthy, controlled growth rather than large amounts of soft growth.

A balanced slow-release fertiliser during the active growing period is usually sufficient. Spring is a good time to feed, with another application later in the growing season where required.

If fruit production is important, avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage vegetative growth at the expense of flowering and fruiting.

Sun, drainage, water and healthy roots are more important than simply adding more fertiliser.

Should I use Seasol when planting an olive tree?

We commonly use Seasol when planting and establishing our olives, particularly after planting, transplanting or periods of stress.

It isn't a substitute for proper soil preparation, drainage, watering or fertiliser. We use it as part of the establishment process, particularly where a tree has been transported, planted or otherwise stressed.

Always follow the product directions for application rates.

What pests should I watch for on olive trees in Brisbane?

Keep an eye out for olive lace bug, along with scale and other sap-sucking insects.

The best approach is to inspect the tree regularly, particularly the undersides of leaves, so a problem can be dealt with before it becomes severe.

Good tree health also helps. Plenty of sunlight, appropriate watering and a canopy with reasonable airflow all make an olive easier to manage.

Treatment depends on the pest and the severity of the infestation, so correctly identify the problem before treating it.

Why are my olive tree leaves turning yellow or dropping?

In Brisbane, the first things we look at are usually water, drainage and sunlight.

Common causes of poor olive performance include:

• soil remaining wet for too long
• overwatering
• poor drainage
• root stress
• insufficient sunlight
• a very sheltered, humid position
• inconsistent watering during establishment
• nutrient problems
• pests or disease

Don't automatically assume a yellow tree needs more water or fertiliser.

Check the soil first.

If the soil is already wet, adding more water can make the problem worse.

Do olive trees produce fruit in Brisbane and SE QLD?

Yes, olives can fruit in SE QLD, but results vary considerably.

Fruit production depends on factors including:

• variety
• maturity
• pollination
• winter conditions
• sunlight
• pruning
• nutrition
• seasonal weather

For many of our Brisbane customers, we recommend choosing an olive because they love the tree first, and treating fruit as a bonus.

If reliable fruit production is your primary objective, variety selection becomes much more important than when choosing an olive principally for landscape use.

Are olive trees good for screening or hedging?

They can be excellent for informal screening, but we wouldn't describe an olive as a dense privacy hedge in the same way as a Lilly Pilly.

The effect is different.

Olives create a softer, more architectural screen with visible trunks, silver foliage and individual tree form. They work particularly well where you want screening without creating a solid green wall.

We use them for:

• statement screens
• rows along boundaries
• avenue planting
• front fences
• poolside planting
• courtyard structure
• paired entrances
• modern coastal gardens
• Mediterranean gardens

If complete privacy is the priority, one of our Lilly Pilly or native screening varieties may be a better choice.

If the priority is structure, street appeal and a more architectural landscape, olives are hard to beat.

Can I grow an olive tree in a pot?

Absolutely. Olives are one of our favourite trees for large pots.

They work particularly well beside entrances, in courtyards, around entertaining areas and as paired statement trees.

For a potted olive:

• choose a generously sized pot
• make sure it has excellent drainage
• use premium free-draining potting mix
• position it in full sun
• water thoroughly when required
• feed during active growth
• prune lightly to maintain the desired shape

Remember that a pot is a much smaller soil reservoir than the ground.

A potted olive may therefore need considerably more frequent watering during a Brisbane summer, even though olives themselves are relatively drought tolerant once established.

Olive Tree Planting Tips for Brisbane & South-East Queensland

Our key advice is simple:

• Give the tree full sun.
• Prioritise drainage.
• Water properly while it establishes.
• Don't keep the soil permanently wet.
• Mulch approximately 5–7 cm deep, but keep mulch away from the trunk.
• Prune lightly to encourage the shape you want.
• Correct soil prior to planting.
• Use good quality potting medium around the root ball.
• Allow enough room for the tree's mature canopy.
• Check the soil before deciding whether the tree needs more water.

Why choose an olive tree?

We sell a lot of different trees, but olives continue to be popular because there are few trees that give quite the same look.

They have year-round structure, beautiful silver foliage and become more characterful as they mature.

They work particularly well in:

• front entries
• courtyards
• pool areas
• large statement pots
• avenue planting
• coastal gardens
• Mediterranean gardens
• contemporary landscapes
• lower-water garden designs

For South-East Queensland customers looking for an established tree rather than waiting years for a small plant to develop, we regularly source and supply advanced olive trees in 45L, 100L and other sizes depending on availability.

Choosing an Olive Tree

Not all olive varieties have the same growth habit, foliage, fruiting characteristics or finished appearance.

If you're choosing an olive primarily as a feature tree, statement pot, row, screen or landscape tree, the best variety may be different from the olive you would choose primarily for fruit production.

[Read our Olive Tree Comparison Guide →]
Compare the olive varieties we grow and supply and find the best option for your garden.

Shop Olive Trees

Browse our current range of olive trees for Brisbane and South-East Queensland delivery.

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• Feature Trees

Advice from The Botanical Society, Brisbane

We grow, source, sell and deliver advanced olive trees throughout Brisbane and South-East Queensland.

The advice in this guide comes from the questions we are regularly asked by customers choosing, planting and establishing olive trees in our subtropical climate; and from what we see when supplying and working with these trees.