How to Repot an Olive Tree
Repot a potted Olive Tree every 2 to 3 years into a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a gritty, fast-draining mix with plenty of perlite and a bit of coarse sand. Early spring before bud break is the best window, while the tree is still resting.
How to Know It's Time to Repot
Olive Trees in containers grow at a moderate pace and fill a pot steadily over a couple of years. The tree gives you four clear signals when its roots have run out of room.
-
1Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
-
2The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
-
3Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.
-
4New leaves come in noticeably smaller and paler than the older ones.
One sign on its own is not enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most potted Olive Trees need a fresh pot every 2 to 3 years, with mature trees stretching to every 3 to 4.
The Best Time of Year to Repot
Olive Trees in pots recover best when they're moved before active growth kicks in, so the roots have a chance to settle in cool soil before the heat of summer. Early spring before bud break is the ideal window.
Repotting in midsummer or during a heat wave stresses the tree and slows recovery. Wait for the cool side of the growing season. Use the map below to find your window.
How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix
Pot Size
Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Olive Trees are sensitive to overwatering, so jumping much bigger leaves too much wet soil around the roots and risks rot, even in a sunny spot.
Pot Material
Terracotta is the best fit for potted Olive Trees. The walls breathe, the soil dries evenly between waterings, and the weight helps balance a tall canopy in a wind.
Plastic and glazed ceramic work too if you water less often and add gravel to the bottom for ballast. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Olive Tree roots rot fast in standing water.
Soil Mix
Mix two parts standard potting soil with one part coarse perlite or pumice and a handful of coarse sand. The gritty blend matches the lean, rocky soils Olive Trees grow in around the Mediterranean and drains fast enough to keep the roots healthy.
Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these roots and lead to root rot.
How to Repot an Olive Tree, Step by Step
-
1Water the day before. Give the tree a thorough drink the day before repotting. Moist soil holds the root ball together when you slide it out and keeps the woody roots from tearing as you work.
-
2Pick the new pot. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh gritty mix in the bottom so the root ball will sit at the same height it did before.
-
3Slide the tree out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. Hold the trunk near the base, not partway up. If the tree is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it.
-
4Inspect the roots. Gently tease apart the outer roots and trim away any sections that are black, mushy, or smell sour, using clean pruners. Healthy Olive Tree roots are firm and pale tan. Trim away no more than a third of the root mass at once.
-
5Set it in the new pot. Center the tree with the trunk perfectly upright, at the same depth it was growing before. Fill in around the sides with fresh gritty mix, pressing gently as you go to keep the trunk steady.
-
6Water and place in full sun. Water slowly until you see it run out the drainage holes. Set the tree somewhere with at least six hours of direct sun a day, since Olive Trees need strong light to thrive. Hold off on fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks while the roots heal.
What to Expect After Repotting
Weeks 1 to 2
A little wilting on the youngest shoots is normal as the roots settle into their new soil. The tree may pause new growth for a couple of weeks.
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, give the tree full sun, and protect it from strong winds while it's recovering. Skip fertilizer for now.
Weeks 3 to 8
Fresh silvery leaves at the branch tips are the clearest signal that the tree has rooted in and is ready for normal care.
Ease back into your regular watering rhythm. Start half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer once new growth is clearly underway, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings.
Got More Questions?
About This Article
