The plant you have chosen is the Olea europaea, the iconic Olive Tree, presented here as a charming, compact feature along with a decorative bottle. Your tree, standing at a neat 25cm tall in its 13cm pot, is a miniature representation of the timeless Mediterranean landscape, perfectly sized to add elegance and symbolic meaning to your interior.

🌿 Foliage, Form, and Appearance

The Olive Tree is highly valued for its symbolism (peace, wisdom, victory) and its ability to maintain its beauty over time. It is an evergreen plant, meaning its leaves remain on the branches throughout the year. The foliage consists of glossy, slender, lance-shaped leaves that are typically a silvery-green to dark green colour. This dense, narrow foliage contributes to the plant's overall elegant form and Mediterranean charm. The tree has a slender stem and a compact size, making it suitable for windowsills, shelves, and desks. It is a resilient plant that does not have any spines. Furthermore, the Olea is known for its air-purifying properties, improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen.

📏 Size and Growth

At a manageable 25cm tall, your Olea europaea is a perfect, compact addition. Its size makes it ideal for integrating Mediterranean flair into smaller interior spaces. When kept in a pot, the Olive Tree's growth is naturally contained, and it can be easily maintained at an attractive, bushy size through simple pruning.

🌸 Flowering and Fruiting

The Olive Tree typically produces small, inconspicuous white flowers in the summer (late spring/early summer). These blooms are subtle but may possess a mild fragrance. Following the flowers, the tree may produce small olives (fruit) in the autumn. The production of fruit is not the main goal indoors and is dependent on maturity and light, but the possibility adds to the plant's authenticity.

💧 Care and Environment

The Olea is renowned for being easy to maintain, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts, provided its love for sunshine is met.

• Location: The Olive Tree thrives best in a sunny spot. Indoors, this means placing it near a window that provides plenty of natural light (ideally south-facing).

• Water requirements: The Olea has moderate water needs. You should allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as this is the biggest danger to its health.

• Durability: This plant is resilient to various environmental conditions, but should be sheltered from hard frost if you wish to place it outdoors during the warmer months.

Note: The fruit and leaves of the Olea europaea are non-toxic. However, raw olives are extremely bitter and require curing (brining) before they are fit for consumption.