Question
QUESTION: I recently put an olive tree in my office reception area and I wanted advice on how I should treat it and if you feel it would grow.

I have had some leaf fall since I placed it here and also have some new green shoots on the top of the plant.

Is this a good sign (new growth) or bad (leaf fall)

Also whilst writing would a Crimson Bottlebrush make a good indoor pant?
ANSWER: Hi Peter,

I think that your ratings comments were unfair. I have given you reliable information, albeit not what you wanted to learn. You asked my opinion as to whether those plants would be good indoor plants and I explained why I thought they would fare poorly. If you think otherwise, I would like to know why.

I think it was also unfair to criticize me for mentioning plants that tapped into your  "dislike for 'typical' houseplants." There was no way for me to know of your personal dislike. I took the initiative to provide some alternatives for you - you didn't ask. So to be criticized for that is unfair.

I answered your question in good faith and gave you accurate information and offered alternatives. I really don't understand what you were expecting from me.

Feel free to contact me directly, if you prefer.

Will Creed


Hi Peter,

The olive tree is not a good indoor tree. It requires direct sun all day long and it needs cold temps in the 30-40 degree range during the winter. In northern climates, this might work on a protected screen porch or in an unheated greenhouses, but a heated home or office is not a good location for an olive tree.

The leaf drop is probably due to the reduced light it is now adapting to. It will continue for a long time. New growth is a good sign, but I expect you will find that the new growth stems are thinner and new growth leaves are smaller than the original growth.

A Black olive tree (Bucida bucerus) is a better choice as it comes from Florida, not the Mediterranean, and does not require the cold winter temps. However, it also needs lots of direct sun and is quite fussy about proper watering.

For pretty much the same reasons, the Bottlebrush does not make a good indoor plant unless you have a very sunny and cool location to place it.

If you want a tree-like plant with small leaves for your office area, I suggest a Ficus benjamina or a Schefflera arboricola.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Will,

I feel that you may have confused feed back with critisism, as I felt your advice was very good indeed and the response time excellent. I apologise for any frustration this may have caused it was unintentional.

The issue with feedback, is that you make it honestly, and with a reaction almost like a response.

How would you know that I dislike typical houseplants?, this is a matter of personal taste, and why I am trying to grow different plant in my working space.Again this was not given as or meant as critisism.

I feel the service you offered was very good, and the marks I gave matched that view, and I have to say it is positive that you respond to this if you feel they are unfair, as it allows for this misunderstanding to be rectified.

I again thank you for your advice.

Answer
Thanks for your reply, Peter. Apparently you are a tough grader. If you check the many ratings I have received, you will see that most are across the board 10's. 9's are unusual and 7's are rare. Typically on this site, a rating of 7 is indicative of dissatisfaction on the part of the rater. It was your rating scores that I was reacting to.

Apparently, you are were more satisfied with my reply than your rating scores reflected. I am grateful for that as providing satisfactory answers is the only reason I do this.

Best,
Will