Texas Olive
Cordia boissieri
A drought-tolerant shrub with showy white flowers that bloom from spring through fall, attracting birds and wildlife.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11 but frost-tender; branches die back below the mid-20s, so plant in warm low-desert microclimates for evergreen performance.
AMWUA Notes
A very-low-water shrub with an exceptionally long bloom season; needs only occasional irrigation to flower spring through fall.
Care Guide
Deep, infrequent water every 2 weeks in summer keeps it flowering; it is drought tolerant but blooms more reliably with occasional soaks and can go dry in winter.
Can be trained as a large multi-trunk shrub or small patio tree; prune to shape and lift the canopy in late winter, avoiding heavy shearing that removes bloom wood.
Little to no fertilizer required.
Few pests; frost is its main vulnerability, not insects.
Evergreen in mild winters with showy crepe-papery white flowers spring through fall; it defoliates and can suffer branch dieback in hard frost, recovering in spring.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-drained rocky or sandy soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
From seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
8-10 ft
Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, though set back from pools for flower and fruit litter.
Placement Tips
- •Wide at up to 10 ft; give it 8-10 ft of space as a specimen or screen and consider training it into a small courtyard tree.
- •Its fruit and flower drop make it better set back from pools and patios than directly over decking.
- •Use as a focal accent near an entry where the year-long white bloom shows against masonry.
- •Site in full sun and a warm spot; protect from severe frost in colder yards.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Texas Olive. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Texas Olive — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Texas Olive need in Phoenix?
Texas Olive is a very low-water shrub once established. Deep, infrequent water every 2 weeks in summer keeps it flowering; it is drought tolerant but blooms more reliably with occasional soaks and can go dry in winter. A very-low-water shrub with an exceptionally long bloom season; needs only occasional irrigation to flower spring through fall.
How big does Texas Olive get?
Expect roughly 8 ft tall and 10 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 8-10 ft of spacing when planting. Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, though set back from pools for flower and fruit litter.
Can you plant Texas Olive near a pool?
Not ideally. Texas Olive is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated low.
Can Texas Olive handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Texas Olive is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11 but frost-tender; branches die back below the mid-20s, so plant in warm low-desert microclimates for evergreen performance. Evergreen in mild winters with showy crepe-papery white flowers spring through fall; it defoliates and can suffer branch dieback in hard frost, recovering in spring.
Does Texas Olive have thorns?
Yes — Texas Olive has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Texas Olive safe around pets?
Texas 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 Texas Olive bloom in Arizona?
Texas Olive blooms in spring-fall, with white flowers.
How much maintenance does Texas Olive need?
Texas Olive is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Can be trained as a large multi-trunk shrub or small patio tree; prune to shape and lift the canopy in late winter, avoiding heavy shearing that removes bloom wood.
What kind of soil does Texas Olive need?
Well-drained rocky or sandy soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. Nutrient needs are low. Little to no fertilizer required.
Is Texas Olive native to Arizona?
No. Texas Olive is not an Arizona native; it originates from the South Texas, Northeastern Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.