--- title: "I got this olive tree about a week ago and it’s shedding leaves so…" description: "I got this olive tree about a week ago and it’s shedding leaves so much - any ideas? The top of the soil is dry but I can’t tell what the bottom is like - I…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/auynONiLR3W87aYZXee6aw?language=it" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Alice" published: "2024-04-01T10:54:41.849167Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/p1jqZTkR_3EwmRuExsmxfK3sScXrlwFtEAcCOTFKCE0/DhBqSHRxRWi1wyFaqp4uiA.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=it) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=it) # I got this olive tree about a week ago and it’s shedding leaves so… _Pubblicato da Alice il 2024-04-01_ I got this olive tree about a week ago and it’s shedding leaves so much - any ideas? The top of the soil is dry but I can’t tell what the bottom is like - I bought another one at the same time and that is fine - any clues ? ![Allegato 1 di 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/p1jqZTkR_3EwmRuExsmxfK3sScXrlwFtEAcCOTFKCE0/DhBqSHRxRWi1wyFaqp4uiA.webp?size=large) ## 18 commenti ### Pierre ha commentato il 2024-04-01 Like all plants, shedding occurs when it’s in a new environment and under new conditions, especially when this old. Sadly might not get back to its former glory since these pretty (trendy?) trees need a lot of light. As for water, pluck your finger deep in it and water if it’s dry to touch. Good luck ### LearningPlantMom ha commentato il 2024-04-01 Overwatering or underwatering Or a disease where it hasn’t been receiving the right amount of water. Try checking the roots to see if there is root rot, if not, let the tree soak in a nice shallow container of water to help restore freshness. Try doing this every day for the rest of the week, but only if the roots look healthy. #### LearningPlantMom ha risposto il 2024-04-01 This is a similar situation to my bonsai tree. I wasn’t watering it enough and it lost almost all its leaves. Then went grey. I let it soak in water for about 20 min every day, there was extra leaf fall after that, but a quick recovery of new green leaves. 😁 #### Alice ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Thank you! Ok sorry for stupid question but how do I know if the roots are healthy ?? I’m totally new to this plant game and love this tree! #### LearningPlantMom ha risposto il 2024-04-01 That’s totally fine!!! It takes time to learn things about plants and how to care for them ♥️ For smaller plants, to know if your roots are healthy; you take the plant out of its pot and look at the roots. If they are white or green, they are healthy, but if they are brown, red, or mushy, then they are not healthy. Olive tree’s have a way to kinda tell before checking the roots… if the leaves are turning a sticky yellow or brown, and in a general look of despair, then it’s most likely roots rot. If you can’t tell from the leaves… try taking a bunch of soil from deep down in the pot, (but be careful of any roots) and see if that soil is moist. If it is, that’s another sign. Finally, if you still can’t tell, your going to have to try and look at the roots, I don’t know way the best way to look at roots for a tree is, but most likely by taking the tree out of the pot and inspecting the roots. If it is root rot, you’re going to have to do a repot with dry, chalky clay - rich soil. #### LearningPlantMom ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Plant the tree in terracotta or wood pot with drainage (holes at the bottom for drainage) for a more breathable living space. ### LearningPlantMom ha commentato il 2024-04-01 You can also check if the plant has enough water, or if it doesn’t by taking a chop stick and putting it in the soil, if it comes out clean it is ready to be watered, if it come out dirty, or with soil on it, it doesn’t need to be watered. #### Alice ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Great idea I will use a chop stick! In the meantime I’ve also found some white fluff which looks kind of like wool??! Should I be concerned? It’s only on a few branches #### Alice ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Chop stick was slight wet right at the bottom so do you think I should re pot ? #### LearningPlantMom ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Try the other suggestion first from the others, also, try soaking the tree in some water too if you want to see if that helps… if things aren’t getting better, then check the roots. #### Pierre ha risposto il 2024-04-02 Could well be mealybugs, if so, act promptly. ### Women are Water ha commentato il 2024-04-01 I was thinking about getting one and in my research found that the are similar to fiddle leaf fig trees in that they don’t like to be moved and will quickly drop leaves if disturbed. But they are also resistant so just give it time to adjust to the new environment. ### Women are Water ha commentato il 2024-04-01 It’s beautiful by the way 😊 ### Sunny ha commentato il 2024-04-01 An olive tree this size needs full direct sunlight to grow this big. It’s like trying to grow a maple tree inside when it’s moved indoors to a low light room. A south or west facing patio or balcony is best. It will keep dropping leaves in a low light room. A good grow light should help. Additionally, they need lots of water that flows through. You don’t wait until the soil is fully dry. You water when the top of soil is dry to the touch. The typical outdoor grown olive tree gets good air circulation that helps to quickly dry the soil. The humidity could be too low indoors. That also causes leaf loss. #### Alice ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Thank you - it’s a bad pic but it is in a bright spot next to a large window in my hallway - we do have underfloor heating though do you think that’s a problem?? #### Sunny ha risposto il 2024-04-01 The tree could be adjusting to heat under the roots especially if the temperature is much higher than its previous environment. Check the temperature at the pot to see if it’s in the range recommended for olive trees. The windows in the picture is too far from the tree. These trees need about 6 hours to 8 hours of full sun hitting the leaves. #### Alice ha risposto il 2024-04-01 Ok I think I need to move it then as that side of my house wouldn’t give it that - thank you!! ### LearningPlantMom ha commentato il 2024-04-01 That is bottom watering, try doing that with your tree, it is possible it could need more water, and bottom watering is such a good method ![Allegato 1 di 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QsglYOZah3J0dczvSzmJYWy_zhTPPcC6NI0e3Vd8578/7Js7ptGkQrebB9JrOm56Bw.webp?size=large) --- _Fonte: la community di Planta (https://getplanta.com). La lettura è aperta a tutti. Per pubblicare, commentare e mettere 'Mi piace', scarica l'app Planta: https://getplanta.com/download_