General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: Can attain heights of 20 feet, but usually 6-8 feet
Plant Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Broadleaf
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Fragrant
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late winter or early spring
Spring
Late spring or early summer
Other: Sporadic blooms during the summer months.
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Patio/Ornamental/Small Tree
Espalier
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Flowering Tree
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Resistances: Fire Resistant
Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Tea Olive
  • Fragrant Olive
  • Sweet Olive
  • Fragrant Tea Olive

Photo Gallery
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-25
Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans).
Location: Aberdeen, NC
Date: October 24, 2022
Fragrant olive #9 nn LHB p.795, 166-2-2, "Greek for fragrant flow
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-25
Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans).
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden
Date: 2022-03-03
Location: Aberdeen, NC 
Date: October 24, 2022
Fragrant olive #9 nn LHB p.795, 166-2-2, "Greek for fragrant flow
Location: Aberdeen, NC
Date: November 16,  2021
Fragrant Olive #9 nn; LHB p.795, 166-2-2, "Greek for fragrant flo
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: February 2013
a powerful scent of old roses...
Location: Winter Springs, Florida, United States
Date: 2019-12-27
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2017-12-05
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-08
Location: zone 8 North Central, Fl.
Date: 2017-11-30
Location: zone 8 North Central, Fl.
Date: 2017-11-30
Photo by sedumzz
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden
Date: 2022-03-03
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2017-12-05
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2017-12-05
Location: My yard, Archer, Florida
Date: 2019-05-20
in my yard when I moved in.
Photo by sedumzz
Location: My yard, Archer, Florida
Date: 2019-05-19
In my yard when I moved in.
Location: zone 8 North Central, Fl.
Date: 2017-11-30

Date: 2010-05-18
photo by Jim Robbins, courtesy of NC Cooperative Extension: https
Location: Jardim do Grottes de Sao Vicente - Madeira
Date: 2023-04-17
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2021-12-04
Blooms do not show at this distance but it is blooming.
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-08
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-08
Location: Enterprise, Al. 36330
Date: 2014-03-31
Location: Opp, AL
Date: 2016-03-08
Location: JBsPlants at Roblyn Farm, New Jersey
Date: 2017-05-27
  • Uploaded by JB
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Date: 2013-10-06
Given to me as a cutting, it seems to be faring well in my clay s
Location: Lowndesboro AL
Date: 2014-11-15
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2011-03-19
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2011-03-19
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Date: 2013-10-17
New Fall foliage
Location: Alabama Gulf Coast (z8b)
Date: March
Photo by abhege
Location: Enterprise, Al. 36330
Date: 2014-03-31
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
Date: 2011-03-19
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by MinxFox (Florida Panhandle - Zone 9a) on Mar 12, 2022 9:06 PM concerning plant:
    Don't let the tiny blooms fool you. The fragrance can be quite powerful, especially when the breeze carries the scent to you. It is a lovely sweet smell. Not sickeningly sweet; just a very good smell. My only regret is not planting mine closer to the house because this is a smell you will want near you! The plant looks rather plain so I definitely grow it for the smell and not for the looks, but I do like that it is evergreen. I wouldn't mind planting this down the fence row or really just putting it in random places all over to perfume the yard.
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Dec 2, 2011 9:21 PM concerning plant:
    Osmanthus fragrans is a popular landscape shrub in many southern gardens. It can attain heights to 20' but is usually seen in the 6' range. Fragrant Tea Olive has opposite, shiny, dark green toothed or smooth leaves, and both types can be present on the plant at the same time. The blooms are rather inconspicuous but they are extremely fragrant! Prune to encourage branching, maintain size and keep a neat appearance.
Plant Events from our members
flaflwrgrl On November 29, 2017 Bloomed
Blooming when I purchased it yesterday. Smells like sheer heaven!
Chantell On October 15, 2021 Plant Ended (Removed, Died, Discarded, etc)
Gave to a friend to make room for 3 other Tea Olives
Chantell On May 6, 2021 Obtained plant
Lucked out and Walmart had these again...just in time to purchase for the new home. Will most like plant in front left flower bed against right side of garage. LOVE the scent of these!!
Chantell On April 16, 2016 Obtained plant
Planted in ground (3' at time of purchase) - far left - in upper flower bed
paleohunter On April 26, 2021 Cuttings took
paleohunter On November 26, 2020 Cuttings took
paleohunter On September 7, 2020 Potted up
paleohunter On June 13, 2020 Cuttings took
WebTucker On November 16, 2021 Bloomed
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