Cultivating olive trees in Florida is a growing area of interest for both commercial growers and home gardeners. While the state’s climate presents unique challenges, growing the Mediterranean native is possible with careful planning and specific cultivar selection. Success hinges on understanding the environmental requirements of the olive tree and choosing varieties bred to tolerate Florida’s milder winters and high humidity.
Olive Tree Viability in Florida’s Climate
The primary challenge for olive production in Florida is the necessity for sufficient “chill hours.” Olive trees require 200 to 300 hours below 45°F to satisfy the chilling requirement for flower-bud development and subsequent fruiting. Florida’s central and southern regions frequently fall short of this minimum, meaning trees may grow but fail to produce a reliable crop. Northern Florida, particularly the Panhandle, accumulates more chill hours, making it more reliable for olive production.
High humidity and heavy rainfall also pose difficulties, promoting fungal diseases like peacock spot. Wider spacing is suggested in high-humidity areas to improve air circulation. The olive tree must be well-drained, as the trees are susceptible to root rot in water-retentive conditions. While Florida’s sandy soils often provide good drainage, underlying clay layers or poor topography can impede water run-off.
Recommended Low-Chill Olive Varieties
Selection of a low-chill variety is the most important decision for successful olive cultivation in Florida. The most widely tested and popular cultivars are Spanish in origin, favored for their low chilling requirements (300 or fewer chill hours). These varieties are primarily grown for oil production.
‘Arbequina’ is the most common cultivar grown in Florida, favored for its cold hardiness and self-pollinating nature. This variety produces small, buttery, and flavorful oil with a high yield. Planting it alongside other cultivars can enhance pollination and increase fruit set.
‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Arbosana’ are frequently planted as companion varieties to improve the yield of ‘Arbequina’. ‘Koroneiki’ is known for its high productivity and excellent quality, intensely fruity oil. ‘Arbosana’ is appreciated for its vigorous growth habit and consistent productivity, yielding a slightly more bitter oil than ‘Arbequina’.
Specialized Nurseries and Retail Sources
The most reliable sources for purchasing olive trees in Florida are specialized growers and regional nurseries. These businesses often focus on the specific low-chill varieties that thrive in the Southeastern United States. These dedicated nurseries are located primarily in North and Central Florida and provide stock that is certified as “true-to-type.”
Reputable online nurseries also ship certified olive trees, offering a wide selection of low-chill cultivars to all parts of the state. When purchasing online, buyers should ensure the vendor provides a Department of Agriculture certificate. This verifies that the trees are free from pests or diseases not yet common in Florida.
Large retail stores, such as national home improvement centers, may carry olive trees, but their stock requires careful scrutiny. These retailers sometimes offer generic olive trees that are not the appropriate low-chill variety needed for the Florida climate. It is crucial to verify the variety tag to confirm it is ‘Arbequina,’ ‘Koroneiki,’ or ‘Arbosana,’ as a generic cultivar will likely fail to fruit reliably.
Essential Planting and Early Care Tips
Olive trees require full sun exposure, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Selecting a location with this light requirement is paramount, and any shading from structures or other trees should be avoided.
While olive trees tolerate poor soil, drainage is a non-negotiable factor for planting. If the chosen site has slow-draining soil, it should be amended with sand or gravel to enhance drainage. Digging a hole only slightly larger than the root ball prevents planting too deeply, which can restrict airflow to the roots.
The initial watering schedule is important for the first year of establishment, even though mature olive trees are drought-tolerant. Newly planted trees should be watered deeply two or three times a week for the first six months to encourage robust root growth. Fertilization should be kept minimal during this establishment phase. Excessive nitrogen encourages vegetative shoot growth at the expense of flower and fruit production. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied lightly in the early spring, but high nitrogen mixtures should be avoided after mid-summer.