The Tea Olive, or Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans), is an evergreen shrub celebrated for its intense, sweet fragrance. Its scent is powerful enough to perfume an entire garden area, making it a popular choice for planting near entryways, patios, and windows. Before selecting a location, prospective growers must understand the plant’s potential mature size. Knowing the ultimate height and spread ensures the plant fits the intended landscape space without becoming overgrown or requiring excessive maintenance.
Maximum Height and Spread
The common fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) has the natural potential to grow as a large shrub or small tree. In optimal growing conditions, particularly in warmer climates, this plant can reach 15 to 30 feet tall. However, most cultivated specimens typically mature at a more manageable 10 to 20 feet.
The growth habit is dense and multi-stemmed, forming an upright oval or rounded crown. The width often rivals its height, typically spreading 10 to 15 feet at maturity. The growth rate is slow to moderate, averaging between 4 and 12 inches per year, meaning the plant will take many years to reach its full potential size.
Factors Influencing Mature Size
Variation in mature size is determined by genetics and environmental conditions. Cultivars and related species are predisposed to different maximum heights, providing options for gardeners with limited space. For instance, the popular ‘Fudingzhu’ cultivar is smaller, typically reaching 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Other species, like the Delavay Tea Olive (Osmanthus delavayi), are naturally smaller, growing only about 6 to 10 feet tall.
Environmental factors, such as climate and light exposure, also dictate the plant’s vigor. Tea Olives thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, where they achieve their largest sizes. Plants grown in full sun develop a denser crown, while those in partial shade may become thinner. Soil quality, nutrient availability, and consistent moisture also contribute to the final size, with rich, well-drained soil encouraging faster growth toward the upper end of the size range.
Managing Tea Olive Size Through Pruning
The Tea Olive accepts pruning well, allowing it to be maintained at a smaller, more suitable size for foundation planting or use as a hedge. The plant can be trained into a formal screen or “limbed up” to create a small, attractive evergreen tree.
For general shaping or to control bulk, light shearing or selective tip pruning can be performed almost any time of year. For heavy size reduction or rejuvenation pruning, wait until late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Because the Tea Olive flowers on growth from the previous season, heavy pruning will temporarily reduce the floral display. Pruning immediately after the spring bloom period provides the longest time for new growth to develop and set buds for the next flowering season.