The plant you have is the magnificent Olea europaea, the classic Olive Tree, presented in the elegant "on stem" form. This structure, featuring a single, clear stem supporting a rounded canopy, is a timeless favourite and a potent symbol of the Mediterranean landscape. Your particular plant, standing at about 60cm tall in its 15cm pot, is a charming young tree, perfectly sized for ornamental borders, terraces, or a sunny spot indoors.
The Olive Tree is an evergreen plant, retaining its beautiful foliage year-round. Its leaves are narrow, elongated, and leathery, displaying a striking contrast that makes them highly decorative: a subtle silvery-green on the upper surface and a pale, almost whitish underside, which shimmers beautifully in sunlight or a gentle breeze. This form, with the clear trunk and rounded crown, gives the plant a sophisticated, mature aesthetic even at a small size. It is a resilient plant that does not have any spines.
At 60cm tall, your Olea is still young but has the potential to develop into a charming miniature tree. While it can naturally reach between 2 to 4 metres in height outdoors, it can be easily maintained at a smaller size through gentle pruning, making it highly adaptable for patios or indoor use. The pot size helps restrict its overall growth, keeping it manageable.
In late spring to early summer, the olive tree produces clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers. These are subtle and not overtly showy, but they have a delicate charm and a soft, pleasant fragrance. With sufficient warmth and sunlight, mature plants may even develop small olives (fruit) later in the season, which turn from green to a deep purple-black as they ripen.
Caring for the Olea europaea is relatively simple, reflecting its hardy Mediterranean heritage.
Placement: It thrives in full sun and loves warmth. It should be placed in the sunniest spot available, ideally outdoors on a terrace or patio, but it can be kept in containers indoors temporarily during colder months, provided it receives plenty of light (e.g., a south-facing window).
Water requirements: The soil should be well-drained and not prone to waterlogging, as olive trees severely dislike "wet feet." Watering should be moderate: allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, it becomes highly drought-tolerant.
Maintenance: Regular pruning is recommended to maintain its shape (the clear stem and rounded canopy) and encourage healthy, dense growth, but heavy pruning is generally unnecessary.
Note: The fruit and leaves of the Olea europaea are non-toxic. However, raw olives are inedibly bitter and must be cured (brined or processed) before consumption.
