• An arbequina olive tree in a glossy dark green ceramic pot, placed on a stone ledge against a textured beige stucco wall.
  • A potted young arbequina olive tree with green leaves and a bamboo stake, in a black plastic nursery pot, isolated on a white background.
  • Informational graphic for a Arbequina Olive Tree, featuring a top photo of olives and text stating it is self-pollinating and produces a full crop on its own.
  • A USDA hardiness zone map of the United States with labeled patio and outdoor zones, showing a light teal map on a beige background with explanatory text blocks below.
  • A potted young arbequina olive tree with green leaves and a bamboo stake, in a black plastic nursery pot, isolated on a grey background.
  • A potted young arbequina olive tree with green leaves and a bamboo stake, in a black plastic nursery pot, isolated on a white background.
  • Close-up of green arbequina olives growing on an olive branch with slender green leaves, photographed outdoors with a softly blurred natural background.
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Arbequina Olive Tree

Most reliable, heaviest-bearing olive you can grow at home

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About the Variety

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Key Features

Heat Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Prefers Lean Soil
Container Friendly
Easy to Grow
Perfect for Xeriscaping
Medicinal
Edible
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant

Plant Details

BOTANICAL NAME

Olea europaea

LIFE CYCLE

  • Perennial

SEED TYPE

  • Live Plant

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

  • Full Sun

BLOOM SEASON

  • Spring

GROWTH HABIT

  • Compact
  • Upright

COLOR

  • Purple

MATURE SIZE

  • 15-30 ft. 15-30 ft.

Native to Spain's Catalonia region, the Arbequina is one of the world's most celebrated oil olives. Its small fruit produces a smooth, buttery oil with delicate notes of green almond, ripe banana, and fresh-cut grass. Exceptionally productive, the Arbequina Olive Tree will begin bearing at a young age and requires relatively little winter chill, making it an excellent choice for gardens in mild climates and for container growers in colder regions.

Plant Arbequina in the ground in a sunny spot throughout Zones 8 to 10, or grow it in a large container that can be moved indoors or to a protected location for winter in colder climates.

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Available across most of the U.S. — except AK, AZ, HI, OR.

  • • Compact Spanish classic prized for its buttery, low-bitterness oil and table fruit
  • • Willow-like foliage and a gnarled trunk create a timeless Mediterranean look
  • • Self-fertile; young trees often begin fruiting within a few years of planting

Planting Information

PLANTING SEASON

  • Spring
  • Fall

PLANTING DEPTH

  • Plant at the same depth as the container

WATER NEEDS

  • Average
  • Low

PLANT SPACING

  • 15 to 25 feet

HARDINESS ZONES

  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

Planting Guide

recommended growing zone View our Olive Tree Planting Guide to learn more.

Ready to Grow

We guarantee that our seeds & bulbs will be true to type and ready to thrive. If something doesn't grow as expected, we will make it right. Questions? Call us at 855-440-2929

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Arbequina Olive Tree FAQs

What does Arbequina olive oil taste like?

It is famously mild, buttery, and fruity, with delicate notes of green almond, ripe banana, and fresh grass and only a soft, gentle bitterness. That smoothness is exactly why Arbequina is one of the most popular oil olives in the world and a favorite for home pressing and finishing dishes.

Do I need a second olive tree to get fruit?

No. Arbequina is self-fertile, so a single tree will set a crop on its own. If you have the room, adding a second compatible olive variety nearby can improve pollination and increase your yield, but it is not required.

How soon will it start bearing olives?

Arbequina is known for fruiting young, often within the first few years of planting, sooner than many other olive varieties. A sunny location, fast-draining soil, and a little patience while the tree settles in will bring you to that first crop fastest.

Can I grow an Arbequina olive in a container or in a cold climate?

Yes. It is one of the more compact, container-friendly olives. In zones 8 to 10 it can live in the ground year-round; in colder zones, grow it in a large pot outdoors in full sun through the warm months and move it into a cool, bright, frost-free space for winter, since hard freezes will damage it.

Why is my olive tree dropping leaves or fruit?

The most common cause is water stress, usually overwatering or poor drainage rather than drought, since olives resent soggy roots. Sudden leaf or fruit drop can also follow a cold snap, a move to a darker location, or a heavy natural thinning of an over-set crop. Check that the soil drains freely, give it as much sun as possible, and water deeply but infrequently.

When and how do I harvest, and can I eat the olives straight off the tree?

Harvest roughly July through October by hand-picking: green for a milder result, or fully dark for richer, oilier fruit. Raw olives are intensely bitter and are not edible off the branch. They must be cured in brine, water, or salt first, or pressed into oil. Many home growers cure a batch and press the rest.

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