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Autumn Olive

About Autumn Olive

Eleagnus umbellata is an invasive deciduous shrub or small tree. It can fix nitrogen in its roots. It has sharp thorns, pale white to yellow heavily fragrant flowers and vibrant red berries. It threatens native species by out-competing them and interfering with natural nutrient cycling and plant succession.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Elaeagnus umbellata

Genus

Elaeagnus

Family

Elaeagnaceae

Order

Rosales

Also known as

Spreading Oleaster, autumn elaeagnus, autumn-olive and oleaster

How to care for Autumn Olive

💦 Water

How often to water your Autumn Olive

Autumn Olive needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Autumn Olive in your home

Autumn Olive love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Autumn Olive does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Autumn Olive in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Autumn Olive

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Autumn Olive: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Autumn Olive after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Autumn Olive can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

💦 Water Needs

Autumn Olive prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Autumn Olive requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Autumn Olive does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Autumn Olive is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Autumn Olive will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Autumn Olive can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.