Piccolo Dwarf Olive

Piccolo Dwarf Olive (Olea europaea 'Piccolo') is a slow growing, long-lived Mediterranean tree with silvery leaves, kept small at about 1.5m high and wide. This dwarf form does not flower or fruit, so it is all about the foliage, and its multi-branching habit takes clipping well. It is as happy in a pot as in the ground.

Why you'll love it

• Silver foliage all year. Fine silvery leaves on branching stems give a classy, calm look, and the foliage is good for cutting.
• No flowers or fruit. A non-flowering, non-fruiting form, so there is no fruit to drop and no mess to clear.
• Small and slow. It stays at a manageable size, which suits a courtyard, a balcony or a front entry.
• Train it your way. Clip it as a formal single-stem standard, shape it into topiary, or let it grow naturally.
• Tough as an olive. It tolerates drought and light frost once mature, and copes with coastal sites and sandy, poor soil.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A good indoor-outdoor tree. In a pot it stays tidy, and it suits entries, patios and verandahs.

Topiary and standards. The multi-branching habit clips well into balls, cones or a lollipop standard on a single stem.

Low hedges and screens. Plant 1m apart for a low silvery hedge that fills out as the branches meet.

Feature planting. A single tree makes a pale, calm focal point against dark green foliage or brick.

Growing Piccolo Dwarf Olive in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a full sun to partly shaded position. It is a hardy plant suited to most conditions nationwide, and does best in frost free locations and coastal plantings. A mature plant will tolerate light frost. In colder districts, grow it in a pot that can move to shelter.

Soil. Good drainage matters most. Sandy and poor soils suit it well.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well during the first 12 weeks, until established. A mature plant tolerates drought. Container plants should be re-potted when needed during the growing season.

Pruning. Prune lightly to promote bushiness rather than spindly growth. For topiary or a standard, clip little and often through the growing season.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Piccolo Dwarf Olive as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small, with a few branches and silvery leaves. As a slow grower it takes time to build bulk, so plant it in a free draining spot and be patient.

Our grower supplies the tube stock and is not always able to. If the tube reads as sold out, press the notify button on this page and we will email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Olive trees
• Growing olive trees in pots
• Plants for topiary and shaping
• More plants for pots

Common questions

Will Piccolo olive produce fruit?

No. It is a non-flowering, non-fruiting dwarf, grown for its silvery foliage rather than for olives.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it is well suited to pots and containers. Use a free draining mix and re-pot during the growing season when it outgrows its container.

Does it cope with frost?

A mature plant tolerates light frost, but it does best in frost free locations. In colder districts, keep it in a pot and shelter it in winter.