Sweet Olive
Osmanthus fragrans
Also known as Tea Olive, Fragrant Olive, Sweet Osmanthus
Climate Match for your location
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A fragrant evergreen shrub prized for its intensely sweet-scented small white or pale yellow flowers that bloom in fall and winter. Compact and slow-growing, it works well as a specimen plant, hedge, or foundation planting in mild climates.
Why grow it
Sweet olive offers reliable winter fragrance in regions where few other shrubs flower, making it valuable for extending the ornamental season in mild climates (zones 8-11). Unlike many fragrant plants that bloom in spring, its fall and winter flowering window fills a distinct ecological niche. Its slow growth and compact form suit hedging and specimen uses where faster-growing alternatives might require frequent pruning.
Watch out for
In areas at the cold edge of its range, late-spring frosts can damage new growth after mild winters trigger early flushing. The plant prefers consistent moisture during establishment and may struggle in poorly draining soils or extremely hot, dry sites even in suitable zones. Indoor plants can attract spider mites under low-humidity conditions common to heated homes.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Oleaceae
Native Range
China, Japan, Southeast Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fragrant evergreen shrub prized for its intensely sweet-scented small white or pale yellow flowers that bloom in fall and winter. Compact and slow-growing, it works well as a specimen plant, hedge, or foundation planting in mild climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sweet Olive grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Sweet olive offers reliable winter fragrance in regions where few other shrubs flower, making it valuable for extending the ornamental season in mild climates (zones 8-11). Unlike many fragrant plants that bloom in spring, its fall and winter flowering window fills a distinct ecological niche. Its slow growth and compact form suit hedging and specimen uses where faster-growing alternatives might require frequent pruning.
Watch out for
In areas at the cold edge of its range, late-spring frosts can damage new growth after mild winters trigger early flushing. The plant prefers consistent moisture during establishment and may struggle in poorly draining soils or extremely hot, dry sites even in suitable zones. Indoor plants can attract spider mites under low-humidity conditions common to heated homes.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Oleaceae
Native Range
China, Japan, Southeast Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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