Fruitless Olive
Olea europaea
A classic Mediterranean shade tree with silvery foliage and a sculptural trunk, bred to produce no messy fruit.
Hardy to about 15°F in low and mid desert; evergreen, heat-loving, and mildly frost tolerant.
AMWUA Notes
Low water; fruitless cultivars avoid staining fruit and greatly reduce allergy pollen.
Care Guide
Deep-soak every 2-3 weeks in summer once established; deep infrequent watering, since overwatering forces weak growth.
Prune in late winter to reveal the sculptural trunk and thin the interior; can be a single- or multi-trunk form.
Minimal; a light spring feeding is optional.
Olive scale on occasion; ensure good drainage to avoid verticillium wilt.
Fruitless cultivars produce little pollen or fruit; silvery evergreen foliage year-round.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining loam, native, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Named fruitless cultivars (Wilsonii, Swan Hill) grown from cuttings to stay true to type
20–25 ft
Roots can be moderately vigorous and lift paving with age; keep 12–15 ft from pools and foundations
Placement Tips
- •Broad 25 ft spread as a Mediterranean shade or courtyard tree; give it 20 ft of room.
- •Choose a true fruitless cultivar such as Wilsonii or Swan Hill to avoid staining fruit near hardscape.
- •Low litter and thornless, safe near pools and patios.
- •Limb up the sculptural gnarled trunk to feature it; full sun.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Fruitless Olive? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
Talk to a Dream BuilderGet a Project EstimateAlready a Client?
Use this care guide to maintain your Fruitless Olive. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Fruitless Olive — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Fruitless Olive need in Phoenix?
Fruitless Olive is a low-water tree once established. Deep-soak every 2-3 weeks in summer once established; deep infrequent watering, since overwatering forces weak growth. Low water; fruitless cultivars avoid staining fruit and greatly reduce allergy pollen.
How big does Fruitless Olive get?
Expect roughly 25 ft tall and 25 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 20–25 ft of spacing when planting. Roots can be moderately vigorous and lift paving with age; keep 12–15 ft from pools and foundations.
Can you plant Fruitless Olive near a pool?
Yes. Fruitless Olive is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Fruitless Olive handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Fruitless Olive is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy to about 15°F in low and mid desert; evergreen, heat-loving, and mildly frost tolerant. Fruitless cultivars produce little pollen or fruit; silvery evergreen foliage year-round.
Does Fruitless Olive have thorns?
No. Fruitless Olive is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Fruitless Olive safe around pets?
Fruitless Olive is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Fruitless Olive bloom in Arizona?
Fruitless Olive blooms in spring, with cream flowers.
How much maintenance does Fruitless Olive need?
Fruitless Olive is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune in late winter to reveal the sculptural trunk and thin the interior; can be a single- or multi-trunk form.
What kind of soil does Fruitless Olive need?
Well-draining loam, native, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5. Nutrient needs are low. Minimal; a light spring feeding is optional.
Is Fruitless Olive native to Arizona?
No. Fruitless Olive is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Horticultural, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.