Craving a Mediterranean vacation? Costco is selling an olive tree that looks like it belongs in a sun-drenched Spanish villa. Not to mention, it’ll grow flavorful fruit—you could even cur or press your own olive oil. For $65, you’ll receive a 2- to 3-year-old olive tree that’ll arrive 6 to 15 inches tall, which can easily be kept inside. Although, it can grow up to 20 feet when planted in the yard.
Originating from Catalonia, Spain, the Arbequina olive tree can thrive in the ground or in containers on a patio, balcony—or if you live in an apartment like me, a fire escape. Of course, you’ll need a Costco membership to buy this fruiting tree, or you can order a live plant on Amazon or from The Sill.
While this Mediterranean tree can grow tall and wide, it can be maintained much smaller through pruning, making it a great choice for home gardens and indoor container growing. Arbequina trees could start producing fruit as early as one year, and the olives are small, brown to purple-black when ripe. The taste is known to be mild, fruity, and buttery.
These Mediterranean plants need a lot of bright, direct sunlight. If you’re keeping it indoors, south and west facing windows are ideal, and you might want to use a grow lamp during colder, shadier months.
If you’re planning to repot it outside, the brand offers some advice: dig a hole twice the size of root ball, then backfill around the root ball with soil to ensure the tree is not planted too deep. Water the area deeply to settle the soil. If you notice yellow or dropping leaves, it might be a sign of over watering or poor drainage.
