I've noticed more and more small-leaved trees trending in interiors. Olive Trees are the new fiddle leaf figs and I'm loving the significantly smaller leaves which feels so fresh! I don't think Fiddle Leafs are going anywhere but it's fun to see how these trees add a completely different vibe to a room.
I love the olive tree in this nursery by Lexi Grace Design:
Or this huge, bushy one from Brown Design Inc. (that pot is equally as drool-worthy).
Or these smaller olive branches taking root in this moody interiorthis moody interior.
Not only do I love the look of Olive trees, but the deep symbolism strikes a chord, too. Olive trees historically stand for peace and friendship--what more could you want in your home?! Recently, we added an olive tree to our living room (I know, I know--another living room change).
We moved our fiddle leaf fig into our bedroom (still working on window treatments) and I love it in here. Its leaves are larger and the tree is less bushy, so it doesn't hide the art at all, but adds the height and green the room was begging for.
I think the olive tree feels a bit more formal, while the fiddle leaf leans casual--and I don't think I could pick a favorite! Real olive trees can last for quite awhile in a pot (you can get real ones at your local nursery or here online) but ours is faux from right here and we get compliments from everyone that has walked through the front door. I love it so much!
Another popular tree I keep seeing is the ficus! I've rounded up a few favorite faux Olive trees (we have 1 and 6, although 4 looks really good and is currently on sale with code SAVEMORE!) and ficus trees below in case you want to hop on the trend!
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12.
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I love this olive tree trend. So much so that i have two small olive tree topiaries on the fireplace mantle. Would it be "too much" to place the large olive tree in the far corner opposite the fireplace wall? Would it be best to go with a complementing tree other than olive... or can i stick with the same?
also- where is your basket from holding the tree? :)
Where is the artwork from in the nursery?
Do you really think ficus trees are making a resurgence?!? I saw one in a nursery the other day and thought “that actually is really pretty”, but haven’t seen any appear on blogs or photos yet. Of course my memories are awful silk early 90’s ones, but my mom has kept a real one alive for 20 years and it’s very cool.
Yes, I do! I think they are really charming actually.
My mom had a couple faux ficus trees in hour house in the 90's and I just can't get the goofyness of them out of my head! The ones you posted have come a long way. I recently bought a real 3'+ fiddle leaf fig at Home Depot for $16! I've heard they are finicky but luckily I have a green thumb and it is loooving the window it's near! And the olive tree you picked is gorgeous!
After 3 fiddle leaf fig tree murders and FIVE olive tree murders, I now own and love faux versions of each! Ballard Designs also deserves a spot on your list Bc they are definitely swoon worthy ???? LOVE your new olive tree addition!
I also love the symbolism of the olive tree, and maybe its smaller leaves won't collect so much dust.. I notice you post a lot of faux trees. Is there a reason you choose faux over real plants?
What are your thoughts about keeping the leaves clean? We had a faux ficus when I was younger and I dreaded the task of dusting it.
It's a great job for our 8 year old! :)
I love your post and agree that we do what we can with our range of window exposures. If readers have any sun at all, I encourage them to purchase a real olive tree. I bought mine at a big box store 18 months ago. It summers out of doors and winters in my south facing picture window. It’s survived when every plant around it failed and I’ve has such fun shaping it into a perfect topiary. Why has it taken so long for olive trees to catch on as houseplants?
What are you thoughts on the faux olive branches from Michaels? I saw one in person and I'm so-so... but the Crate and Barrel one online looks very similar to the one at Michaels (but M is cheaper of course)...
I haven't seen it.
Love it! I've always been a fan of the more gray-green leaves of an olive tree! The best part of faux plants is that you can move them around the house without fear that they'll suddenly hate their new location and die, in other words you investment never goes to waste.
How do you feel about the quality of this tree? Crate and barrel has two reviews and neither of them are very favorable!
I read the reviews before purchasing and took a chance and I'm so glad I did. There were only two reviews so I knew that wasn't a good sample and one of the negative reviews simply stated that only one branch reached 7' tall--which was obvious to me just looking at the image. It's more of an open bushy tree, not a towering tree but still has a great, beautiful presence with our 8' ceilings. I have zero regrets. Once I pulled it out of the box, I fluffed each branch and it was so beautiful and fooled many people. It's more expensive, but I think it's because it has the most organic shape. I better go write this review on their site!
Yes! I was smitten when the studio McGee store front had those two darling olive trees framing the entrance. I got a live dwarf Olive tree for my birthday and couldn't stop staring at it ????
Hi Julia! I was so excited to see this post since I just bought 2 faux olive trees over the weekend and you just confirmed they are now the "it" interior plant. I am loving them, too!!
Like you, I appreciate real plants but I can't seem to keep them alive in our home. Not enough natural light for us so faux it is.
Thanks for sharing the links to these pretty plants!
Those olive ones ARE beautiful. What do you put inside the basket to keep the plant anchored down/so there's not a weird empty gap in the basket? I've debated using filler foam and then river rock stones on top but I just know my toddlers will scatter them everywhereeeeee.
I love that idea! I actually ordered a different basket for this tree (I borrowed this one from the playroom until it got here) so when it is in its permenant basket I love the idea of rocks or moss!
I wish you would try a real live plant! These fakes are so obvious, even from pictures. You've got the light, and real plants clean the air! I think you would see they'e not so hard to keep alive.
We have in the past! And I'm sure we will in the future. Our climate is really harsh and twice in the past when buying a real fiddle leaf and real money tree, they both got scorched or froze from the store to the car.
I’m with you on this Julia....I have had both. It’s just that some home/regions are more well suited to live indoor plants/trees. Our current home does NOT tend to be well suited for live plants. I’m so happy that the faux plants and trees are so well done these days! Love your new olive tree!!
Very pretty! I'm a fan of live Dracena. If it gets too lanky, I can wack it down and it will re-sprout. Some people will re-root the cut off portion (or any section of trunk). I haven't tried that yet. Darn easy to grow.
Looking forward to your bedroom reveal.