A Guide to Propagating Olive Trees

Written by Daily Fix - Published 09-Apr-2024, last updated 27-May-2025

The graceful silhouette and timeless beauty of the olive tree have captivated gardeners for centuries. But what if you could bring a piece of that magic to your own garden? Propagating olive trees allows you to cultivate these iconic plants and enjoy their presence for generations to come.

While olive trees can be grown from seed, this method has limitations. Seed-grown trees often take much longer to mature and may not produce the same quality fruit as the parent tree. Propagation through cuttings offers a more reliable and rewarding approach, and that's what we'll be focusing on in this guide to propagating olive trees from cuttings.

Preparing for olive tree propagation

Choosing the Right Time: The ideal time to take cuttings for olive tree propagation is during the late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This ensures the cuttings have sufficient stored energy to promote healthy root development.

Selecting Your Source: Look for a healthy, mature olive tree that produces the type of olives you desire. Choose a branch that's at least two years old, with a firm and woody texture. Avoid branches with any signs of disease or damage.

Tools and materials required

Sharp pruning shears.
Rooting hormone (optional, but recommended).
Potting mix: A well-draining mix specifically formulated for seedlings or cuttings is ideal.
Pots: Choose pots with drainage holes, slightly larger than the diameter of your cuttings.
Transparent plastic bag or cloche (optional, to create a humid environment).

How to take olive tree cuttings

Propagating olive trees from cuttings is a reliable and rewarding method for growing new trees that are true to the parent plant. Whether you're expanding an orchard or simply adding a tree to your garden, taking cuttings allows you to reproduce a favored variety with consistent results. To get started, it's important to know how to properly select and prepare your cuttings to give them the best chance of developing strong, healthy roots.

Make clean cuts: Using your sharp pruning shears, select a healthy section of the chosen branch. Aim for a cutting that's 12-14 inches long and 1-3 inches in diameter. Make a clean, angled cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf joins the stem) on the bottom end. Make a straight cut across the top, about a quarter of an inch above a leaf node.

Prepare the cuttings: Remove all but the top two or three sets of leaves from the cutting. This reduces water loss and allows the plant to focus its energy on root development. You can also make a small, shallow scrape or vertical cut along the base of the cutting to encourage root growth.

Once your cuttings are properly trimmed and prepared, they're ready to be planted in a suitable growing medium. With the right care - ample moisture, warmth, and indirect light - they'll begin to form roots over the coming weeks. Patience is key during this stage, but your efforts will soon be rewarded with a thriving new olive tree.

Encouraging root growth

Once your olive tree cuttings are prepared, the next step is to create the ideal environment to promote root development. This stage is crucial, as successful rooting determines the future health and growth of your new tree. With the right tools, conditions, and a bit of care, you can significantly increase your chances of propagation success.

Rooting hormone (optional): While not essential, using a rooting hormone can significantly improve your success rate. Follow the instructions on the product label to apply the hormone to the base of the cutting.

Planting the cuttings: Fill your pots with the well-draining potting mix. Make a hole in the center of each pot, deep enough to accommodate two-thirds of the cutting's length. Gently insert the cutting into the hole and firm the soil around the base.

Watering and humidity: Water the potting mix thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. To maintain humidity, you can enclose the pot loosely in a transparent plastic bag or cloche. Ensure there's adequate air circulation to prevent mold growth.

By providing your cuttings with the proper support - whether it's a boost from rooting hormone, the right potting mix, or a humid microclimate - you?re setting the stage for strong, vigorous root growth. Keep a close eye on moisture levels and air circulation during this period, and with a bit of patience, you'll soon see signs of new life taking hold.

Patience is the key

Finding a warm, well-lit location for your cuttings is crucial. Ideally, the temperature should be around 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

Be patient! Rooting can take several weeks, sometimes even months. During this time, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Check the cuttings gently by tugging slightly. If there's resistance, it's a good sign roots are developing.

Once your cuttings establish a healthy root system, gradually remove the plastic bag and introduce them to more sunlight. You can then repot them into larger containers or transplant them to your desired location in the garden.

Growing your olive tree

With proper care and attention, your propagated olive tree will thrive for years to come. Here are some additional tips:

Growing in a pot: Olive trees thrive in containers thanks to their love of well-drained soil. Terracotta pots are the ideal choice as they tend to dry out quicker than plastic pots, thus providing the drier soil conditions in which they do well. Plus, their classic style complements any sunny outdoor space.

Compost: When growing an olive tree in a pot use a loam-based peat-free compost such as John Innes No.3, and add a few handfuls of horticultural grit to aid drainage.

Watering: Water your olive tree deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Allow the soil to drain well between waterings.

Sunlight: Olive trees require plenty of sunlight, ideally at least 6-8 hours per day.

Fertilisation: Use a balanced fertiliser formulated for fruit trees during the growing season, following the product's instructions.

Pruning: Regular pruning can help maintain the desired shape of your olive tree and encourage healthy growth.

Enjoy the olive growing journey

By following these steps and providing your propagated olive tree with the love and care it deserves, you'll be well on your way to enjoying its beauty and bounty for years to come.