Tips for Growing Olive Trees in Las Vegas

If you plan to use olive trees as part of your landscaping, you'll probably want a fruitless variety, such as Majestic Beauty, Swan Hill or Wilsonii. Once they reach maturity, olive trees are generally drought-tolerant. They are also quite water efficient - a weekly deep watering will suffice during the hot summers in Las Vegas. 

If  you're skilled at curing olives, having a fruit-bearing olive tree is a necessity.  However, in Las Vegas, most people are eager to eliminate the mess that the fruit makes on the ground below.   January through March is the critical time to spray for fruit elimination.

Tips for Growing Fruitless Olive Trees in Las Vegas

1. Plant in well-drained soil, in full sun, with the crown above grade.

2. Water regularly and deeply until established, then schedule watering as fit for a xeriscape (low-water use) plant.

3. Spray to eliminate fruit (fruitless trees may eventually start producing fruit) in January and February.

4. Prune annually during cooler weather to remove water sprouts and lightly thin. 

5. No other pruning is needed when planted 15-30 feet from buildings. 

6. Fertilize every autumn and early spring, and water deeply following fertilization.