Growing olive
subtropical / tropical fruit
Pollination
Several ('Arbequina', 'Mission') are self-fertile; all set more fruit with a second variety.
Growing it
Zones 8-10. Needs a hot, dry summer and cannot take a hard freeze. Very drought-tolerant once established; fruit must be cured before eating.
Where olive grows best
Hardy in zones 8-10, and it needs enough winter cold - about 150-300 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Olive needs roughly 150–300 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does olive grow in?
Olive grows in USDA hardiness zones 8-10.
How many chill hours does olive need?
Roughly 150-300 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does olive need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Several ('Arbequina', 'Mission') are self-fertile; all set more fruit with a second variety.
Which states can grow olive?
Olive suits most of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and parts of 17 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.