How to Grow Olives in Olive Tree Zone 7: A Complete Olive Tree Hardiness Zone Guide
Growing an olive tree outside classic Mediterranean climates is completely possible—especially if you understand olive tree hardiness zones, choose the right varieties, and create the warmest microclimates in your yard.
If you're curious how to grow an olive tree in Zone 7, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to help olive trees grow, survive winter, and eventually produce fruit even in cooler regions.
Understanding Olive Tree Hardiness Zones
Olives naturally come from warm, dry climates, but many gardeners push the limits of the olive tree planting zone. Most olives prefer USDA Zones 8–10, but certain cold hardy olive tree Zone 7 varieties can thrive with protection.
If you’re unsure about your climate, check What Is My Growing Zone.
Why Zone 7 Is Challenging—but Possible
A typical zone 7 olive tree must tolerate winter lows down to 0–10°F. Most olives experience damage around 17°F, but some varieties recover well and can fruit reliably with care.
With smart siting, warm microclimates, and seasonal protection, growing an olive tree in this zone becomes a rewarding project.
Choosing Olive Trees for Zone 7
Best Cold Hardy Varieties
When selecting olive trees for Zone 7, choose cultivars known for resilience. Reliable options include:
- Arbequina olive trees — Compact, productive, adaptable, and among the best olive tree for Zone 7.
- Mission Olive Tree — A classic California variety with strong cold tolerance.
- Koroneiki — Excellent for olive oil production and surprisingly hardy.
- Manzanilla — Popular table olive and adaptable.
Learn more about choosing varieties here:
You can also browse all cold-tolerant trees in USDA Zones 5–7 or explore the full collection of Olive Trees.
Planting Olive Trees in Zone 7
Finding the Warmest Microclimate
Zone 7 growers should maximize heat around the tree. Ideal spots include:
- South-facing walls that reflect warmth
- High points in the yard where cold air drains away
- Areas with full sun all day
Soil Requirements
Olives love drained soil. To ensure good drainage, amend with compost and check your soil with a simple test: Home Soil Test Guide
How to Plant
When planting a young olive tree, begin by digging a hole twice as wide as the root ball, keeping the top of the root ball level with the ground.
Make sure the hole includes drainage holes if you're planting in a container. See an example here: Planting Olives Video
Caring for Olive Trees in Zone 7
Watering
Olives are drought tolerant, but young trees need regular moisture during the first growing season. Keep soil moist, not soggy.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring. Acid-tolerant organic blends work well: Acid-Loving Fertilizers
Pruning
Prune to shape the canopy, remove damaged branches, and encourage sunlight access.
Learn pruning fundamentals here: Fruit Tree Pruning Guide
Cold Protection
During extreme cold snaps, wrap trees with frost cloth or row cover: Floating Row Cover Guide
Some growers mound soil around the trunk for extra insulation through winter.
Pollination & Fruit Production
Most olives are self-fertile, but yields improve when two varieties cross pollinate. Even in olive tree zone 7, this boosts fruit production, especially for olive oil types.
Conclusion
Growing olive trees in Zone 7 may take creativity, but with the right varieties, smart planting, and winter protection, you can enjoy healthy trees and your own olives for years. For a broader foundation before getting started, you can explore general olive-growing fundamentals in our How to Grow Olives: A Growing Guide.
Whether you're planting in-ground or in containers, following the basics of olive tree hardiness zone gardening opens the door to a unique and rewarding harvest. For deeper guidance on care, maintenance, and long-term success, the Olives Growing Guide offers additional insights to support your Zone 7 olive-growing journey.
28 comments
Hello, I have an outdoor potted olive tree (Arberquina) . I live in GA (zone 8) not the mountainous part. I planted it in early spring and it’s doing wonderful. Healthy full leaves and is about 5 ft tall. My question is how to care for it this winter. We don’t have overly harsh winters but occasionally get snow and cold temperatures for days on end in January and February. I have read conflicting reconnections. Some say it’s fine bc it next to the house under an eve where it receives sun almost all day, others say it should come inside until March. I just don’t know what is best. I also know these trees need a ton of sunlight and I don’t want to cause it shock by bringing it inside where it may not receive enough sun. So could you please give me a good recommendation on what I should do for my olive tree this winter. Thank you.
I live in Wester Colorado zone 7a Grand Junction to be specific. I was told by old timers here that there were olive trees this area. I have also been no that it’s impossible. Given that we have peaches, grapes and other "Mediterranean crops here is it possible that they were here and can I grow them? Thanks
Susan, you might want to wait until spring to plant to allow it to establish over the summer, the problem is that we may not have any olives available for sale in the spring.
I want to try an olive tree in Atlanta Ga…Im ready to buy now but wondering if it makes sense to wait until spring? So it can get establishes more before winter? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Peter, you may be able to grow them if the conditions are right. As the article stated, you need to find a warm spot in your yard and will need to really baby them through the winter until they get established.