Left to their own devices, olive trees can get a little unruly indoors. Prune in early spring, just as new growth starts to emerge. Cut back any leggy or crossing branches at a 25-degree angle just ...

Understanding the Context

Here’s how to care for this beautiful tree. Olives are one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, with evidence that they’ve been grown for more than 7,000 years. Native to the Mediterranean, ... MSN: How to Grow an Olive Tree Indoors or Outside—Even If You Don’t Live in the Mediterranean Bring the Mediterranean to your garden.

Key Insights

Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean basin—Northern Africa, Western Asia, and Southeastern Europe—and have been beautifying gardens since antiquity. In ... How to Grow an Olive Tree Indoors or Outside—Even If You Don’t Live in the Mediterranean The olive (botanical name Olea europaea, "European olive") is a species of subtropical evergreen tree in the family Oleaceae. Olive, subtropical broad-leaved evergreen tree and its edible fruit. The olive fruit and its oil are key elements in the cuisine of the Mediterranean and are popular outside the region.

Final Thoughts

Learn about the olive tree and about the commercial production of olives and olive oil. Olive plants have long been symbols for peace, wealth, power, and success. In ancient Greece, their leafy branches were used to crown victors of Olympic games. Today olive trees are grown and harvested for their fruits, which are used as a foodstuff and as a cooking oil.