Indoor Olive tree loosing leaves and limited new growth

ashleyabrahams

Hi Everyone,

I have had an olive tree inside my flat for a year or so. For the last few months it has lost most of its original leaves and the remaining original leaves are dark green and very dry, prone to falling off when the tree is touched. 

We have repotted it into a much bigger pot with a mix of John Innes no.3 and Gro-Sure perlite to ensure good drainage. It has seen some new growth (see photos below) but these leaves are starting to dry out as well.

Any advice? Can we save the tree?

Papi Jo

Welcome to the forum @ashleyabrahams .
Olive trees are definitely not meant to live indoors, full stop.

JennyJ

It's probably not getting enough light, and possibly too warm particularly in winter. Apparently they do shed leaves in spring https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=138, and it's probably more noticeable indoors than it would be outside.

Nollie

Not enough fresh air and sunlight and probably under-watered too - they need a thorough soaking then let the excess drip out the bottom - so it needs to be raised on pot feet and have a big drip tray. Outdoor trees will never really be happy and healthy indoors. Is there nowhere outside you can move it to? A sunny, sheltered, south-facing patio is what it is yearning for...

ashleyabrahams

Thanks everyone, moved the tree out to the balcony and it is definitely showing some signs of improvement

Pete.8

If you haven't fed it in a while it's probably hungry too.
Diluted seaweed extract works very well with olive trees - I feed mine about once a month while it's growing

ashleyabrahams

Thanks, I use a combination of specialist olive tree feed and the occasional top up of dirty water from my aquarium (so full of nitrates and phosphates)