How to Grow Olive in New Zealand
Olives thrive in warm dry districts with free-draining soil and dislike wet feet. Plant in autumn or spring. Most varieties crop better with a second variety nearby for pollination, and the fruit must be cured before eating.
When to plant olive in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | March, April, September, October, November |
| Auckland | March, April, September, October, November |
| Waikato & BoP | March, April, September, October, November |
| Wellington | March, April, September, October, November |
| Nelson & Marlborough | March, April, September, October, November |
| Canterbury | September, October, November |
| Otago & Southland | September, October, November |
| Central Otago | September, October, November |
Best olive varieties for NZ
- Frantoio — Reliable Italian oil variety, hardy and productive, widely grown in New Zealand. (Waimea Nurseries, garden centres)
- Manzanillo — Popular dual-purpose table and oil olive, good cropper. (Oderings, garden centres)
- Kalamata — Large dark table olive, needs a warm dry site to ripen well. (specialist olive nurseries)
How to grow olive
- Space plants about 500cm apart.
- Sow seed around 30cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 730 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 1 days.
Companion planting
Grow olive near: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Nasturtium.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Olive lace bug, Black scale. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Olive plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant olive in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in March, April, September, October, November. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy olive seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Waimea Nurseries, garden centres, Oderings.