
Complete the Garden
Grow guide & specs
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Germination
- 30-120 days
- USDA zones
- 8-11
- Sunlight
- Full Sun to Partial Shade (varies by species, 4-8 hours)
- Water
- Low once established — very drought tolerant; water regularly during establishment
- Mature height
- 25-50 ft (7.6-15 m); can be kept smaller with pruning
- Planting season
- Indoor: Any time of year | Outdoor: Spring (Zones 8-11)
- Seeds included
- 2-10 seeds
- Scientific name
- Olea europaea
How to grow it
PREP & STRATIFY (IF NEEDED): Open your Seeds In A Cup kit and check your variety's instruction card. Many temperate tree seeds — maples, cherry, apple, pear, apricot, dogwood, and most evergreens — need cold stratification first: place seeds in the provided moistened growing medium inside a sealed bag and refrigerate at 33–41°F (1–5°C) for the 30–90 days listed on your card. Hard-shelled seeds and pits also benefit from a 24-hour warm-water soak. Warm-climate varieties like olive, guava, and date palm can skip the cold period entirely.
PLANTING: After any stratification, fill your Seeds In A Cup container with the provided growing medium. Sow seeds at the depth listed on your instruction card — about ¼–½ inch for most tree seeds, up to 1 inch for large pits and nuts. Water thoroughly, cover with the humidity lid, and place in a warm, bright spot (65–75°F) or under a grow light. Tree seeds take their time: expect germination anywhere from 2 weeks to 2+ months depending on your species.
SEEDLING CARE: Once sprouted, remove the lid and give your seedling the sunniest window you have. Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. When your tree reaches about 6 inches tall, transplant it to a larger pot with well-draining soil. Before planting outdoors, check the USDA hardiness zone on your variety's instruction card — most shade and flowering varieties thrive in Zones 4–9, while Mediterranean and tropical varieties prefer Zones 8–11 or a sunny spot indoors as long-term container trees.