Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

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verifiedReviewed by the GreenScout Team

Autumn Olive is a nitrogen-fixing shrub producing small, speckled red berries with tart-sweet flavor, excellent for jams and sauces. This hardy, adaptable plant tolerates poor soil, drought, and partial shade better than most berries. The berries ripen in fall and can persist on branches into winter, extending harvest season.

Common Problems

Select the problem your Autumn Olive is experiencing to get a treatment guide.

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Underwateringchevron_right

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Overwateringchevron_right

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Slow Growthchevron_right

Care Guide

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Light

Full sun to partial shade (4+ hours daily); tolerates lower light than most berries

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Water

Drought-tolerant once established; moderate watering during establishment and fruiting

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Soil

Tolerates poor, sandy, or clay soils; pH 5.5–7.5; nitrogen-fixing ability reduces fertilizer need

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Fertiliser

Minimal fertilizer needed; avoid excessive nitrogen which reduces fruiting

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Temperature

Hardy to zone 3; thrives in 50–75°F; tolerates extreme cold and heat stress

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Humidity

Low to moderate humidity; excellent wind tolerance

Toxicity

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Berries are edible and non-toxic; no known toxicity concerns

Common Diseases

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Common Pests

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Seasonal Care

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Resume regular watering and feeding as growth picks up.

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Peak growing season. Water and feed regularly.

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Reduce watering as growth slows. Stop heavy feeding.

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Minimal watering and feeding. Protect from frost if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Autumn Olive need so little fertilizer?

It's a nitrogen-fixing shrub, meaning it produces much of its own nitrogen naturally, so it tolerates poor, sandy, or clay soils without needing much supplemental feeding.

How long can I harvest Autumn Olive berries?

Longer than most berries — the speckled red berries ripen in fall and can persist on the branches into winter, extending the harvest season considerably.