How to Grow Oleaster - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Oleaster is a plant that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a member of the family Oleaceae, which includes olives and lilacs. Oleaster is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be 10 feet tall. The leaves are oblong and have a pointy tip. They are dark green in color and have a hairy surface. The flowers are white and have five petals. They bloom in the spring and summer. The fruit of the oleaster is a berry that is olive-green in color.

How to Grow Oleaster - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Wild olive
  • Autumn olive
  • Russian olive
  • European olive
  • Ornamental olive

Good to Know

  • Oleaster is a member of the Rose family.
  • Oleaster is a deciduous shrub.
  • Oleaster is native to Eurasia.
  • Oleaster has been naturalized in North America.
  • Oleaster grows to a height of 3-5 m.
  • Oleaster has alternate, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate leaves.
  • Oleaster flowers are borne in clusters of 3-
  • Each flower has 5 white petals.
  • The fruit of oleaster is a black drupe.
  • Oleaster is used as an ornamental plant.

Planting Process

  1. For oleaster, first step is to find a sunny spot in your yard, as the plant prefers full sun.
  2. Next, you need to prepare the soil by adding some organic matter, such as compost, and also making sure the pH is between 0 and
  3. Once the soil is ready, you can sow the seeds directly or start them indoors in a pot.
  4. If starting indoors, sow the seeds about ΒΌ inch deep in a pot filled with seed-starting mix.
  5. Place the pot in a warm location and keep the soil moist.
  6. seeds should germinate within 2-3 weeks.
  7. Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them outdoors.
  8. Space the plants about 10-12 inches apart.
  9. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
  10. Oleaster is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but you may need to prune it occasionally to maintain its shape.

Soil Condition

About soil condition, Oleaster prefer deep, well-drained and sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. They are very adaptable to different soil types, but they will not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils.

Light condition

Like the other plants, the oleaster tree needs sunlight to grow. This tree prefers full sun, which means it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If it doesn't get enough sun, it will not grow as well.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for the oleaster is between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. They can also tolerate some cold snaps down to around -5 degrees, but they will not perform as well as in warmer temperatures.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60%. If the humidity drops below 50%, the plant may experience stress and drop its leaves. If the humidity climbs above 60%, the plant may become susceptible to fungal diseases.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this plant prefers low levels of nitrogen and slightly higher levels of phosphorus and potassium, allowing the oleaster to become established quickly. The roots of this plant are deep and spreading, so it is best to have sandy or loamy soil with good drainage.

Light requirement

Pruning is a vital part of Oleaster care. It helps to control the size and shape of the plant, and also encourages new growth. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears. Oleasters can be pruned at any time of year, but it is best to do it in early spring before new growth begins.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of Oleaster is best done from softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long and taken from new growth. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the branches, as this is where the new growth is. Cuttings should be placed in a propagating tray or pot filled with a mix of sand and peat. The tray or pot should be placed in a sheltered spot outdoors where it will get some indirect sunlight. Cuttings should be kept moist and in about six to eight weeks they should have rooted and be ready to plant out.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted on young plants in nurseries. However, one study of adult plants in the wild found that oleasters can grow up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in a single year.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are dehydration, over-watering, and under-watering. If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to dry out and turn brown. If the plant is getting too much water, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Basics of Growing

  • If planting from seeds, start them indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost date.
  • Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and press them lightly into the soil.
  • Water the soil regularly, keeping it moist but not soggy.
  • When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, transplant them into individual pots.
  • Oleasters prefer full sun but will tolerate some light shade.
  • Plant oleasters in well-drained soil.
  • Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune oleasters as needed to shape and control growth.
  • Oleasters are tolerant of drought and salt spray, making them ideal plants for coastal areas.
  • Oleasters are generally pest and disease free, but scale and aphids can be problems.

Alternative Plants

  • Juniperus oxycedrus; juniper
  • Obedience plant
  • Terebinth
  • Spiraea alba
  • Genista cinerascens
  • Spreading juniper
  • Hoary spiraea
  • Italian juniper
  • Juniperus excelsa
  • Juniperus sect. Juniperus

Source:
Antioxidants in different parts of oleaster as a function of genotype
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