The Best Pot for Olive Trees: What to Choose and Why It Matters
If there’s one thing we get asked more than anything else at Verti Green, it’s this: What’s the best pot for an olive tree?Not the colour, not the style, not the finish—just something that works. Something that supports the tree, holds its weight, and doesn’t crack at the first sign of a frost.
This post walks you through everything you need to know. No guesswork, no vague advice. Just solid recommendations based on what real customers are buying and why it works.
What Makes a Good Olive Tree Pot?
Weight and Stability
Olive trees aren’t light. Even young ones get top-heavy fast, and if your pot isn’t heavy enough, it’s going to topple. A stable base is crucial, especially for exposed spots.
All the planters we’re about to recommend are heavy-duty and frost-resistant, made from GRP (glass reinforced plastic). They’ve got the look of real lead or terracotta, without the risk of splitting or flaking.
Drainage Matters
Poor drainage is a death sentence for olive trees. They hate sitting in wet soil. Every planter we recommend here has proper drainage holes, and we always advise using a potting mix that allows excess water to escape. Add grit, stones or broken pots to the empty pot before you fill compost or potting mix.
Best Planters for Olive Trees – Our Recommendations
These are the most popular and most suitable olive tree planters we supply. All are suitable for outdoors year-round and available for UK delivery.
1. Grosvenor Square Planter
The Grosvenor is a go-to for good reason. It’s strong, square, and looks the part in both modern and traditional settings. If you’ve got a young olive tree or a mid-sized standard, this planter offers excellent root room without taking over the space.
• Subtle faux lead finish
• Excellent depth for long-term growth
• Suitable for patios, terraces, or front entrances
2. Botticelli Planter
Softer and more decorative, the Botticelli is perfect if you want something with a classical Mediterranean feel. The detailing works well against the simple grey-green of an olive tree.
• Decorative without being over the top
• Available in sizes ideal for olives
• Strong enough to last all year outside
3. Trafalgar Round Planter
Some trees just work better in round pots. The Trafalgar is our strongest option in this shape, and it’s ideal for wider olive tree root balls or multi-stemmed plants.
• Rounded shape gives stability and room to grow
• Subtle faux-lead style suits almost any setting
• Easy to move compared to terracotta
4. XL Colourful Cube Planters
If you want something brighter, these large cube planters come in nine colour options and are big enough for serious olive trees.
• 9 bold colours available
• Big enough for established trees
• UV stable and weatherproof
They’re ideal for restaurants, cafes, and hospitality settings where impact matters.
5. Bowl Planter – 120cm Size
This is a beast of a planter. At 120cm wide, it’s one of the largest we supply and ideal for feature olives, especially in courtyards or commercial installs.
• Very large root capacity
• Low profile suits mature or multi-trunk olives
• Looks stunning with gravel top dressing
6. Thames Bowl Planter
Smaller than the 120cm option but still generous, the Thames Bowl is another wide planter that works well for olive trees. Particularly good for lower growing varieties or centrepieces in open areas.
• Great for informal Mediterranean-style planting
• Durable and frost resistant
• Understated, solid look
What Size Pot Do You Need for an Olive Tree?
Young Trees (Less than 1 metre high)
Start with a pot that’s at least 40cm wide and deep. You want to give the roots room to spread, but not so much that water sits around the base.
Medium Trees (1–2 metres high)
Look for planters 50–60cm wide and just as deep. Our Grosvenor, Botticelli and Trafalgar options are ideal here.
Mature Trees (2 metres plus, or multi-stemmed
You’ll want something in the 80–120cm range. That’s where the large Bowl Planter and XL Cube Planters come in.
Always allow for future growth. Olive trees don’t mind being pot-bound, but they do resent soggy conditions.
Mediterranean Style Planters – For the Full Look
If you want to go beyond just function, take a look at our terracotta effect collection. These work beautifully with olives, especially if you’re building out a garden scheme with lavender, rosemary, and other sun-loving plants.
They’re:
• Lightweight but look like real terracotta
• Weather resistant
• Designed to complement Mediterranean planting without cracking
Final Tips on Potting Olive Trees
• Always use a free-draining soil mix. Add grit if needed.
• Raise pots slightly off the ground with feet to improve drainage.
• Feed sparingly—these trees are slow growers and too much nitrogen will damage them.
• Water deeply, but allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.
Choosing the Right Olive Tree Pot
There’s no perfect pot for every olive tree, but there is a right one for your space, tree size, and garden style. The key is to get the size right, prioritise drainage, and don’t cut corners with materials. Cheap pots crack. Poor drainage ruins roots. The right pot supports the tree for years.
All the planters in this post are in stock and ready to order. They’ve been used in real homes, restaurants, hotels, and commercial sites across the UK.
Need help choosing? Drop us a line and we’ll point you in the right direction.
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