Mission Potted Olive Tree

Mission olive

Mission is a historic California olive cultivar used for both oil and cured table fruit. It grows vigorously with an upright habit and produces fruit that may be harvested green or allowed to mature before curing or oil processing.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Mature size, cold response, bearing pattern, fruit quality, and harvest timing vary with the site, season, tree age, and care.

Pollination and harvest

Mission can set fruit without a second olive in many conditions, but cross-pollination may improve fruit set. Koroneiki or Arbequina may provide compatible pollen when bloom overlaps. Olives must be cured before eating.

Planting and care

Choose a full-sun site with excellent drainage. Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and wider than the container. Set the tree at the same soil level it had in the pot, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly. Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment without leaving it waterlogged.

Prune lightly to develop a balanced canopy and remove dead, damaged, or crossing growth. Mature size, flowering, harvest timing, and crop size vary with climate, tree age, pruning, pollination, water, and care. Container-grown trees require more frequent irrigation and periodic root and canopy management.

Olives are bitter directly from the tree and must be cured before eating. See our olive growing guide, shop olive trees, or browse all potted fruit trees.

Keep the tree labeled and compare Koroneiki or another locally compatible cultivar when improved cross-pollination is a priority.

Allow generous canopy space and maintain an open, accessible structure for routine pruning and harvest.