How to treat Olive tree leaves turning yellow?

bardiab1985

Hi

I planted this olive tree several months ago and has been growing very well until a few weeks ago that the leaves started to turn yellow and fall down. I water it three times a week and fertilise it with Seasol.

Appreciate your opinion about it.

EricL

Hello @bardiab1985

It sounds like your olive tree was doing well initially and has only recently begun to show yellowing leaves and leaf drop. In many cases this is related to watering or nutrition rather than a serious disease. Olive trees are Mediterranean plants and generally prefer soil that drains well and dries slightly between waterings. Watering three times a week can sometimes keep the soil too wet, especially if the ground holds moisture. When the soil remains constantly wet, the roots can struggle to get oxygen, which can lead to yellow leaves and leaf drop as the tree becomes stressed. For young olive trees, it is usually better to water deeply but less frequently, allowing the top few centimetres of soil to dry out before watering again.

Another point to consider is that while Seasol Concentrate 600ml is very helpful for overall plant health, it is technically a seaweed tonic rather than a complete fertiliser. It supports root development and stress recovery but does not provide the full range of nutrients that a growing tree needs. If the soil nutrients are low, the tree may start showing signs of deficiency, which often appears as pale or yellow leaves, particularly on older growth.

To support healthy growth, you may wish to supplement with a slow-release fertiliser suitable for fruit trees. Common options available at the store include products such as Osmocote Citrus & Fruit Controlled Release Fertiliser or Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. These provide a more balanced supply of nutrients over time and are commonly used for olives and other fruiting trees. Applying one of these according to the instructions can help restore colour and encourage steady growth.

A good approach moving forward would be to reduce watering to roughly once a week (depending on rainfall and temperature), ensure the soil drains well, and apply a balanced fertiliser in addition to the occasional use of Seasol. Olive trees generally respond well once their watering and nutrition are adjusted, and it is quite common for them to shed a few older leaves while they adapt to new conditions. If the new growth remains green and healthy, the tree is usually recovering well.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric