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Olivo común

Olivo común

Olea europaea
El clásico árbol perennifolio mediterráneo, uno de los primeros cultivados por el ser humano (Creta, hacia el 2500 a. C.) y fuente de aceitunas de mesa y aceite de oliva. Alcanza 20-30 feet con una copa redondeada, corteza gris lisa que se tuerce pintorescamente con la edad, y hojas lanceoladas opuestas de color gris verdoso en el haz y plateadas en el envés. Las fragantes flores blancas de verano dan paso a drupas ovales verdes que maduran hasta volverse negras. Tolerante a la sequía una vez establecido, pero resistente al invierno solo hasta la Zona USDA 8.
Climate fit: narrow (30/100)
Focal point
Structure
Edible
Light
Full sun
Water
Moderate water
Mature size
240-360" tall · 240" apart
Hardy in zones
8a-10b
cold to mild winters
AHS heat range
6-12
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
No
Las aceitunas de esta especie se cosechan comercialmente como aceitunas de mesa y para elaborar aceite de oliva (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder).

Cold hardiness

Future
These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.
Now
Zone 6b
USDA
Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.
Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer
Won't grow here
2050
Zone 7a
Plotwright
Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).
Won't grow here
In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.
Out of range today and still out of range in 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Sources & citations

Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Olivo común (Olea europaea). Retrieved 2026, June 14, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/olea-europaea
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
Botanical research database
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes
Wikimedia Commons
Photo · CC BY 3.0
Backs 1 field
Image