Species oleaster Guide
bright-yellow leaves with dark-green center and light-green midribs on brown twigs and branches

oleaster

Elaeagnus ebbingei

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Creamy white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

red,yellow,orange Fruits Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Oleaster (Elaeagnus ebbingei) should be watered whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. It's typically best to water the plant well and thoroughly, then wait until the soil starts to dry out before watering again. A typical watering schedule should be every 5-7 days in the summer and every 10-14 days in the winter. Make sure to water the root zone area thoroughly to ensure moisture absorbs deep into the soil.

sunlight

The oleaster plant species requires full sun to partial shade to thrive and produce their edible fruits. In the warmest months of the year (typically May-August) the oleaster should be in full sun 8-10 hours per day. During the spring and fall seasons, 4-6 hours of sun per day should suffice. In very hot climates, some light shade may be needed, especially during mid-afternoon when temperatures are typically the highest. The oleaster is relatively drought tolerant so if rainfall is not common, then it should be watered deeply once a week to keep the soil moist and the plant vibrant.

pruning

Oleaster should be pruned in late winter or early spring each year. Light pruning is best, removing only small twigs and branches or shaping large branches. Never remove more than 30% of the plant at once. Even with light pruning, be careful to not to disrupt the plant's natural form or create uneven branches. If the plant is highly overgrown, it can be pruned more aggressively. However, if aggressive pruning is necessary it should be performed gradually over several years.