Received an olive tree for Christmas

[AliasGrape]

We received a late Christmas gift today of a small olive tree - from M&S. It’s currently in a plastic pot in a hessian sack.

To say we’re not gardeners is an understatement. We also have a tiny and waterlogged garden.

I want to plant it in a pot as we’re planning to move in the next year so will be easier to take it with us.

Google tells me a terracotta or wooden pot is best, good drainage and keep it in a sunny spot against a wall. It also says not to put it out now but in spring, but that a greenhouse, conservatory or unheated porch is best in winter but we don’t have any of the above. Our porch is brick and dark. We have a sunny kitchen with patio doors, but it may get too hot in there for it? Or I also read about fleece wraps- should I put it outside in a pot with one of those on?

Gift was from an elderly relative who is not planning on having any kind of funeral or stone/ memorial and has outright said it’s something to remember them by when they’re gone!! So it feels important I keep it alive somehow!

I have an olive tree in a pot in my living room. I have just positioned it close to the window and water it about once every 3-4 weeks. They are trees from a mediterranean climate so prefer long and hot summers and cool but not cold winters.

The thermometer says at its coldest that spot by the window goes to 9 degrees with heating off. It has survived a year now and is still alive so I am taking it for the win. It did however drop a huge amount of leaves at first but I waited it out and it acclimatised to its spot eventually.

I have two olive trees - one pretty big- and both in pots outside in all weathers. They are actually pretty hardy. (South east England for 20 years)

it does depend where it’s used to though. I would keep it by a window (if south facing not right by the window) until spring. Then I’d put it in a nice terracotta pot outside and it should be fine outside going into next winter. Not too big a pot though - just one size up…

They like a gritty soil, not too rich, and not too much water. I know because I nearly killed mine with kindness! A terracotta pot would be good because it’s porous.