PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; blooms most profusely in full sun, tolerates mild afternoon shade in hot climates
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil dries out; drought-tolerant once established
Temperature
Thrives in warm temperate to tropical climates; tolerates brief light frosts above 10°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Opposite, leathery, elliptical to lanceolate leaves with entire margins; glossy dark green upper surface, pale underside.
- Flower: Small, fragrant white tubular flowers in axillary panicles.
- Fruit: Ovoid drupe, purple-black when ripe; small edible flesh around seed.
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist during active growth; avoid waterlogging
Fertilization
Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer once. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth that reduces flowering
Eggshell powder top-dress：Crush dried eggshells to a fine powder; sprinkle lightly around the base and work into the top 2 cm of soil to avoid direct stem contactPruning
- Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter to improve airflow and light penetration
- Thin overcrowded inner branches to encourage flowering and fruiting
- Shape young trees to establish a desired canopy form; avoid heavy pruning of mature specimens
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: Non-toxic to cats per ASPCA guidelines for Olea genus species
Humans: No documented toxic effects to humans; ripe fruits are edible in small quantities
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental landscape tree; ripe fruits used in local South Asian culinary preparations
