Can Olive Trees Grow Indoors? Yes—and Here’s How to Do It Right.
If you’ve ever found yourself eyeing those Mediterranean beauties and wondering if you could bring one inside, you’re not alone.
One of the most frequently asked questions we get is:
Can olive trees grow indoors?
Short answer: yes—with the right care, container, and sunny spot, an olive tree can live happily in your home.
Long answer? Here’s how to do it right.
Best Olive Tree Varieties for Indoors
Not all olive trees are cut out for the indoor life. Some grow too large, too fast, or need more airflow than your average living room can offer.
But there are a few stars of the show:
Arbequina Olive Tree
This is your go-to variety for indoor growing:
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Compact and container-friendly
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Self-pollinating
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Drought-tolerant
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Beautiful silvery-green foliage
Plus, Arbequinas can produce fruit indoors with enough light and care. That’s a win-win.
Other good options:
Look for varieties labeled as “dwarf,” “compact,” or “patio-friendly.” These are typically more manageable indoors.
Light, Light, Light
Olive trees are true sun lovers. If you’re growing one indoors, make sure you can provide at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
The best setup:
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South- or west-facing window
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Or a full-spectrum grow light if natural light is limited
Without enough sun, expect leaf drop and stunted growth. But with the right light? Magic.
Container & Soil Tips
Olive trees don’t like soggy roots. You’ll want a pot with excellent drainage and soil that doesn’t hold too much moisture.
Here’s what we recommend:
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Container: Use a clay or terracotta pot with drainage holes
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Soil: Fast-draining mix (cactus or citrus blends work great)
Simply Trees Pro Tip:
Avoid decorative pots with no drainage. If you love the look, place your tree in a liner pot and remove it when it’s time to water.
Watering an Indoor Olive Tree
Olive trees are naturally drought-tolerant, so less is more.
Watering rule:
Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out before watering again.
Then water thoroughly and allow excess to drain completely.
Avoid overwatering at all costs—especially in winter, when growth slows and roots stay wetter longer.
Indoor Olive Tree Pruning
You won’t need to prune often, but light trimming keeps your tree looking sharp and manageable.
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Prune in early spring before new growth
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Remove leggy, damaged, or crossing branches
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Shape to your desired height and structure
No need to overthink it. Olive trees look great with a little wild character.
Will It Produce Olives Indoors?
Possibly! Fruit production indoors depends on:
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Sufficient direct sunlight
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Warm, stable temperatures
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A self-pollinating variety like Arbequina
Even if your tree doesn’t fruit, the ornamental value is unbeatable—elegant, sculptural, and timeless.
The Simply Trees Take
Indoor olive trees are a vibe.
They bring elegance, charm, and a sense of calm to any room—and yes, they’re beginner-friendly with the right setup.
At Simply Trees, we ship healthy, container-grown Arbequina Olive Trees directly to your door in our eco-friendly double-pane boxes. Each tree is hand-selected, inspected, and ready to shine in your space.
👉 Shop Arbequina Olive Trees Now
You don’t need a Tuscan villa to live your Mediterranean dream.
