How Often to Water an Olive Tree (In the Ground and in Pots)

Olive trees are drought tolerant, not drought loving. A newly planted tree needs deep watering about once a week in its first two summers. An established tree in a Mediterranean climate can survive on rain, but crops much better with water at key stages. A potted olive needs water whenever the top 5 cm (2 in) of compost is dry.

Watering a Newly Planted Olive Tree

• Water heavily at planting: 20–40 litres (5–10 gallons).
• First summer: 20–40 litres once a week, twice a week in heat waves or on sandy soil.
• Second summer: every 10–14 days, deeper rather than more often.
• Make a shallow basin around the trunk so water soaks in instead of running off.

Watering Established Trees

Once roots are deep (after about three years) olives cope with long dry spells. For a good crop, water in these periods:

• Flowering and fruit set (late spring): stress now means fewer olives.
• Pit hardening (early summer): the tree tolerates some stress here.
• Fruit growth and oil accumulation (late summer to early autumn): water makes bigger olives and more oil.

A mature garden tree in a hot, dry summer typically benefits from a deep soak every 2–3 weeks. Stop or reduce watering a few weeks before harvest for oil olives; for table olives keep watering for size.

Watering Potted Olive Trees

Water until it runs out of the drainage hole, then empty the saucer. Check with a finger rather than following a fixed schedule.

Drip Irrigation in Groves

Drip is the standard in modern groves. Two drippers per tree on young trees, rising to 4–8 drippers on mature trees, with seasonal amounts typically from 1,500 to 4,000 m³ per hectare depending on climate and density. Many growers use "deficit irrigation": reduced water during pit hardening, full water at flowering and in late summer, which saves water with little yield loss.

Signs of Overwatering

• Yellowing leaves that drop, starting with older leaves.
• Soil that smells sour and never dries.
• Dark, soft roots and wilting despite wet soil.

Signs of Underwatering

• Leaves curl inwards along the midrib and turn dull or silvery.
• Sudden leaf drop in summer.
• Shrivelled fruit and fruit drop.

More Olive Tree Guides

• How to Grow Olive Trees: The Complete Guide
• How to prune olive trees
• Olive tree pests
• Olive tree diseases

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water a newly planted olive tree?

About once a week, deeply, during the first summer; more often in extreme heat or sandy soil.

Do olive trees need a lot of water?

No, but they produce far more fruit with water at flowering and in late summer.

How much water does an olive tree need per day?

Think per week, not per day: young trees 20–40 litres weekly in summer; mature trees much more but less often.

Should I water my olive tree in winter?

Trees in the ground: rarely. Potted trees: only when the mix is dry a few centimetres down.