An artificial olive tree is a faux version of the Mediterranean olive (Olea europaea), with narrow gray-green leaves, small olives on many designs and a twisting, bark-textured trunk. It suits bright modern, farmhouse and coastal interiors, kitchens and entryways, and anyone who loves the look of olive trees but lacks the hours of direct sun a living one needs indoors. Our collection holds more than 200 items, mostly trees in planters and loose trees, plus olive wreaths, garlands and stems.
Why Real Olives Struggle Indoors
A living olive tree wants six or more hours of direct sun, good airflow and a cool winter rest. Most homes can't give it that, so indoor olives often drop leaves and thin out. A faux tree keeps its shape in a dim hallway, a north-facing living room or an office, which is why olive is one of the most requested artificial trees. You also avoid fallen leaves and pests like scale on the trunk.
Tree Styles in This Collection
- Classic multi-trunk olive: loose, airy branches in a pot. The most natural look for a corner.
- Olive topiary: a clipped ball or cone of olive leaves on a single straight trunk, more formal and good in pairs by a door. For more clipped shapes, browse our artificial topiaries.
- Black olive: an artificial black olive tree imitates the shady lady black olive (a different tree from the fruiting olive), with small, glossy dark green leaves and a tiered canopy.
- Lighted olive: an artificial olive tree with lights has warm white micro-lights through the branches, popular for evening ambience and holiday decor.
- Wreaths, garlands and stems: olive leaves on a ring or vine for doors, mantels and table runners, or loose stems for vases.
Choosing Size and Shape
A small olive, around 2 to 4 feet, works on a kitchen island, console or shelf. Medium trees of 4 to 6 feet fit beside a sofa or at the end of a hallway. A large faux olive of 6 feet and up fills a living room corner or stands at the base of a stair. Olive trees have an open canopy, so they look lighter than palms or figs of the same height; a tall olive works in tight spots where a bushy plant would feel crowded.
If you want broad, tropical fronds instead, compare our artificial palm trees; for big, glossy leaves, look at faux fiddle leaf fig trees.
Planters and Placement
Many olive trees here come in a planter: terra cotta, ribbed ceramic, white, black or gray pots, and metal or tower stands. Terra cotta keeps the Mediterranean feel; matte white or black ceramic reads modern. If a tree arrives in a plain pot, drop it into a larger decorative container and cover the base with moss or river stones. Turn the "best side" of the tree toward the room; faux trees are often fuller on one face.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Olive Trees
Most faux olives are designed for indoor use. An outdoor faux olive should be labeled UV- or weather-resistant, because sun fades and dries out standard leaves. Even outdoor-rated trees last longer on a covered patio. Weight the pot with sand or stones so wind can't knock it over.
Spotting a Convincing Faux Olive
A few details separate convincing faux olives from obvious ones:
- Leaf color: real olive leaves are gray-green on top and silvery underneath. Two-tone leaves look far more natural.
- Trunk: natural wood or a well-textured trunk with knots and twists beats a smooth plastic pole.
- Leaf density: real olives are airy. A tree packed with leaves looks fake.
- Fruit: a few small olives add realism; too many look decorative rather than natural.
Olive Tree Prices
Items start around $10 for stems and small picks and reach about $2,075 per item for large statement trees. Most fall between roughly $95 and $290, with a typical tree near $160. Close to half the range is in stock right now. The wider plants and trees collection covers other faux greenery.
Care for Faux Olive Leaves
Dust monthly with a soft brush or a hair dryer on the cool setting. For heavier dust, wipe leaves with a slightly damp cloth. Keep the tree out of strong direct sun through a window if it isn't UV-rated. When the tree arrives, spread the branches and tilt leaves outward so the canopy looks open.
Artificial Olive Tree FAQ
Which faux olive is best for indoors?
For an artificial olive tree indoor setting, look for two-tone silvery leaves, a natural-looking trunk and a sparse, airy canopy. A size of 5 to 6 feet suits most living room corners.
Can a faux olive tree go outside?
Only if it is described as outdoor or UV-resistant, and a covered spot is still best. Weight the base so wind doesn't tip it.
What is a black olive tree?
The black olive, often sold as "shady lady," is a tropical shade tree with small, dark green leaves. It is not the fruiting Mediterranean olive, though both are popular as faux trees.
Do lighted olive trees use batteries or a plug?
It depends on the design; some use a plug-in adapter and others run on batteries with a timer. Check the listing for power details before choosing where to place it.
Can I put a faux olive in my own pot?
Yes. Trees shipped in a plain weighted pot can be set inside a larger decorative planter. Fill the gaps with moss, stones or bark for a finished look.