After selecting a proper place to plant (full sun, well-drained soils); the next step will be to determine what kind of olives you prefer to grow.  There are thousands of varieties of olive trees and many have very distinct characteristics which you might find pleasing, or not.  A fundamental decision is whether to cultivate an “eating” olive or an olive primarily used to produce oil, or both.   The Arbequina and the Koroneiki are two olive varieties that generally do well in Florida.  Depending on the number of accumulated chill hours in your area and other factors, you should get some olives from Arbequina and Koroneiki.  We have seen these varieties bloom and fruit as far south as Ona, FL . However, both Arbequina and Koroneiki (while offering good oil) are small and not a common table olive.  Another thing to remember is that some olive trees are not self-pollinating, so the additional of a supporting variety will significantly enhance your chances of producing olives.  In that event, you might select a variety suitable as table olive as well as a few trees for oil.

Below you will find some choices and their characteristics.  Much of this information is provided by Bruce Golino, an experienced California olive nurseryman.

Arbequina is probably the most popular olive tree grown in Florida at this time.  It is a fast grower and self-pollinating but benefits greatly from co-planting with other cultivars such as Arbosona and Koroneiki to enhance pollination and, yield.  The Arbequina fruit (drupe) is small and not generally favored as a “table” olive but many Florida growers, brine Arbequina olives and enjoy them year around.  The Arbequina oil is mild, buttery and very flavorful.  It appears as a tree of medium vigor with a weeping shape.  Arbequina is tolerant to cold, salinity and high atmospheric moisture and moderately tolerant to drought and Pseudomonas savastanoi (olive knot).  But it is poorly tolerant to olive fly, iron chlorosis, nematodes, scale and verticillium wilt.

The yield of oil from Arbequina is good (20-22%), of excellent quality  and with good organoleptic (smell & taste) characteristics. Synonyms of this cultivar include: ‘Arbequin’, ‘Alberchina’, ‘Catalana, ‘Blancal’, ‘Oliva de Arbela’, ‘Manglot’, ‘Blancas’ and ‘Oliva de Borjas’. The cultivar is distributed throughout Spain, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Israel, Peru and the USA. The Arbequina’s requirements for chilling time are lower than some varieties and therefore is attractive in southern areas experiencing mild winters.

Often planted as a “pollinator” to support pollination of the Arbequina, Koroneiki is a tree of medium vigor with a spreading habitat and open canopy. Other names for this cultivar are ‘Psilolia’, ‘Lianolia’ or ‘Korani’. It is widespread in the main olive-producing districts of Greece (i.e. Crete, Peloponnese, etc.). In recent years the Koroneiki has been installed in high density (350-700 trees per acre) plantations all over the world (e.g. Australia, Italy, Spain, U.S.).

The leaves are thick, with a small leaf blade of 4.5–5.2 cm and the ratio of length to width is 4.2–5.5:1.  The fruit is small (0.5 g), with a mastoid shape and ending in a teat. The fruit ripens from mid to late season and turns black at full ripening. The pit is small and cylindroconical (a cylinder with pointed ends) in shape. The oil content at 27% is high in oleic acid and very stable.

The ratio of flesh to pit is 1.63–4.06:1. The medium yield per mature tree is 50–60 kg. This cultivar is resistant to water stress and wind, but sensitive to Dacus oleae, Euphyllura olivina, Pseudomonas savastanoi and attacks from rhynchites (leaf and bud weevils). Its tolerance to cold is low and its rooting ability from leafy cuttings is constant and medium.

Arbosona is often used to support pollination (productivity) when paired with Arbequina.  One approach is to sow a few Arbosona in among the Arbequina when the grove is planted.  Arbosona matures 2 weeks later than Arbequina and has 25% less vigor.  As well, it is more sensitive to water stress and presents more vigorous regrowth after pruning. The oil of ‘Arbosona’ is more bitter to the taste than that of ‘Arbequina’, which has a fruity and pleasant flavor. Arbosona is characterized by high productivity and resistance to low temperatures, leaf drop and olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi).

The clone is propagated asexually and it produces 19–20% olive oil. The Arbosana’s leaves are small in size, 58–70 mm in length and 11–12 mm in width. The color of the upper surface is green and that of the lower surface chrysolite green. The petiole is short, 5 mm. The fruit matures early, usually by the fourth week of October in the northern hemisphere and is elliptical in shape. Composition of the oil is: palmitic acid (C 16:0), 1.3%; esteric acid (C 18:0), 2.0%; oleic acid (C 18:1), 74%; linoleic acid (C 18:2), 7.66%; polyphenols K225 (bitterness), 0.24%. The stability of this oil is 13.5 h at 120°C.  While Arbosona is a popular cultivar and is often planted along with Arbequina to supplement pollination in high density commercial groves, it seems to struggle in some areas of Florida.

Some other varieties having success in Florida include:  Ascolano, Taggiasca, Sevillano, Manzanilla, Leccino, Coratina, Empeltre,  Frantoio, Grignan, Pendolino and Chemlali.  However, many of these varieties are limited to specific areas of Florida.  For example, Ascolano and Sevillano have been successful in northern Florida but not tested south of Gainesville.  Other varieties such as Barnea, a cultivar more suited to arid regions, has had mixed results. 

Current research by the Florida Olive Council includes all the above varieties in tests as far north as Milton, FL and south below the Orlando area.   The Council welcomes any additional information from Florida olive growers about success or failure with any olive variety.  If you are an olive grower or would like to become one, click here to apply for membership in the Florida Olive Council, LAA.

Note:  The information provided here is gathered from many sources.  Please read disclaimer here.