Fall Deals:
15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
15% Off Vitex & Sweet Almond
Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌿 Arbequina Olive Tree — Compact Mediterranean Beauty in a 1-Gallon Container (Olea europaea ‘Arbequina’)
Bring a taste of the Mediterranean home with the charming Arbequina Olive Tree — a compact, silvery evergreen that delivers timeless beauty and potential homegrown flavor. Perfect for Florida, the Southeast, and other warm, sunny regions, this starter-sized 1-gallon tree is ideal for gardeners who want to grow from a young age and watch it flourish for years to come.
🌟 Why Grow Arbequina?
Looking for a resilient, drought-tolerant evergreen that doubles as an edible showpiece? Arbequina is your perfect match — early to establish, visually stunning, and highly adaptable. Even as a small starter, this 1-gallon olive offers long-term rewards: silvery foliage, sculptural form, and the promise of buttery, fruity olives once mature.
🌿 QUICK FACTS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Olea europaea ‘Arbequina’ |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruiting tree |
| Sale Size (Container) | Ships in a 1-gallon pot |
| Plant Age | Young starter tree (approx. 12–18 months old) |
| Mature Size (Unpruned/Pruned) | ~15–20 ft tall, 8–12 ft wide; can be kept smaller with pruning |
| USDA Zones | 8–11 |
| Sun | Full sun (6–8+ hrs) |
| Cold/Heat | Young trees are tender below mid-20s °F; mature trees are hardy once established |
| Growth Habit | Naturally compact, rounded canopy; gray-green leaves with silvery undersides |
| Spacing | 12–20 ft in open plantings, or 8–10 ft for hedge-style growing |
🫒 FRUIT, FLAVOR & HARVEST
- Flavor profile: Buttery, mild, and fruity with low bitterness — classic Arbequina oil style.
- Fruit color: Green to purple-black when fully ripe.
- Harvest window: Fall (Oct–Nov) in Mediterranean/California-like climates; varies with region.
- Florida fruiting habits: Spring blooms lead to occasional fruiting, depending on climate and conditions.
When to expect fruit:
Arbequina trees grown from this 1-gallon size typically begin to fruit within 3–4 years, once established in-ground or upsized to a larger pot.
🌱 TOP BENEFITS & USES
- Edible & ornamental: Compact stature, silvery foliage, and a sculptural trunk — stunning in containers or landscapes.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, thrives with minimal watering.
- Culinary value: Fruit suitable for home curing or mild oil pressing; leaves used traditionally in teas.
- Cultural roots: Named for Arbeca, Catalonia, Spain — beloved across the Mediterranean for its flavor and adaptability.
🪴 CONTAINER & INDOOR NOTES
- Container-friendly: This smaller 1-gallon size is excellent for patio, balcony, or courtyard growing. Repot into a 3–5 gallon container within the first year for best development.
- Light: Keep in full sun outdoors, or indoors near a bright south-facing window with supplemental grow light if needed.
- Watering: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings — olives dislike soggy soil.
- Indoor care: Bright light is key. Rotate monthly for even growth and keep air circulation strong to prevent fungal issues.
🧑🌾 BEST PRACTICES FOR PLANTING & CARE (ARBEQUINA OLIVE)
Where to plant:
- Choose a full-sun location with excellent drainage.
- If planting in-ground, consider a slight mound or raised bed to prevent root rot.
How to plant (High & Tight method):
- Dig a hole just slightly wider than the pot and no deeper than the rootball.
- Set the tree slightly above ground level.
- Backfill with native soil mixed with compost for healthy root establishment.
- Water in thoroughly, then mulch around the base — but keep mulch off the trunk.
📺 Watch our “High & Tight” fruit tree planting tutorial here:
https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
Watering:
- Keep soil lightly moist during the first 8–12 weeks as roots establish.
- Once established, water deeply but infrequently.
Feeding:
- Feed organically with compost or worm castings.
- Avoid over-fertilizing — excess nitrogen reduces fruiting potential.
Pruning:
- Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and improve airflow.
- Maintain a natural vase form and remove dead or crossing branches.
Cold protection:
- Cover young 1-gallon trees during frost warnings until hardened off.
- Container-grown plants can be moved indoors temporarily during cold snaps.
⚠️ CAUTIONS
- Avoid poorly drained soil — standing water can cause root rot.
- Protect young plants from frost or excessive humidity to prevent leaf spotting.
- Scale insects may occasionally appear; use organic horticultural oils if needed.
🌞 FLORIDA & SOUTHEASTERN NOTES
Arbequina olives thrive as ornamental evergreens throughout Florida and the Southeast. While consistent fruiting is less common in subtropical zones, they remain valued for their lush gray-green foliage and Mediterranean charm.
Plant in a sunny, dry location and allow soil to dry between waterings. Avoid excessive fertilization, and use hardwood mulch for best results.
✅ IS THIS PLANT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Ideal for:
- Gardeners in Zones 8–11 seeking a drought-tolerant evergreen
- Container growers who want a manageable, edible landscape tree
- Mediterranean garden lovers and patio gardeners
Not ideal for:
- Areas with frequent waterlogging or prolonged frost exposure
- Shade-heavy locations with less than 6 hours of sunlight
🌼 COMPANION PLANTING (EDIBLE GUILD IDEAS)
- Nitrogen fixers: Sunshine mimosa, coral bean
- Dynamic accumulators: Comfrey, vetiver (natural mulch producers)
- Pollinator magnets: African blue basil, porterweed, native salvias
🔍 TROUBLESHOOTING
- 🍂 Yellowing leaves on older wood → Normal seasonal leaf turnover.
- 💧 Overwatering → Allow soil to dry between waterings.
- 🪲 Scale or sooty mold → Wipe foliage clean, encourage beneficial insects, or treat organically.
- ❄️ Frost damage → Protect with frost cloth until spring regrowth appears.
❓ FAQ
Does Arbequina self-pollinate?
Yes — Arbequina olives are self-fertile and will fruit on their own with proper sunlight and care.
When will it fruit?
Expect first olives in about 3–4 years once planted in-ground or upsized.
Can it grow indoors?
Yes, with bright light and good airflow. A sunroom or grow light setup is ideal.
How big will it get?
Mature trees can reach 15–20 ft, but in containers, expect a manageable 6–10 ft height.
SHIPPING & PICKUP
Shipping
- We ship live plants every Monday via UPS Ground from Florida.
- The 1-gallon size ships beautifully across Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
- Customers in northern and western states should note that transit time or temperature extremes may cause temporary stress — plants may need a short recovery period after arrival.
- Buyer discretion is advised during peak heat or cold seasons.
Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Stop by our regenerative nursery to see what’s blooming this week! 🌿
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We do more than sell plants — we design, build, and restore edible ecosystems across Florida: onsite consultations, landscape design & installation, bulk compost, mulch, and soil delivery, and wholesale regenerative solutions.
Let’s start your Mediterranean-inspired foodscape today with your Arbequina Olive Tree!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
-
For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
-
For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
-
We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
-
Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
-
Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
-
Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
-
Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
-
Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
