How to Grow and Care for Sweet osmanthus

Sweet osmanthus, also known as Sweet olive, Fragrant olive, Tea olive, Kinmokusei, Chinese osmanthus

Sweet osmanthus is relatively easy to maintain, thriving in well-draining soil and requiring consistent moisture without being waterlogged. Special care includes ensuring sweet osmanthus receives full sun to partial shade for optimal blooming. Pruning is important for maintaining a desired shape and promoting vigorous growth, which should be done immediately after the plant finishes flowering.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Sweet osmanthus

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Potting Mix, Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	7-11

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Varieties of Sweet osmanthus

Sweet osmanthus 'Fudingzhu'

Sweet osmanthus 'Fudingzhu' is an evergreen shrub with an oriental name that reflects this plant's unique East Asian origin. One of the plant's main appeals is its highly fragrant peach-smelling blossoms that are pure white and particularly abundant in this showy hybrid.

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More General Info About Sweet osmanthus

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Quickly Identify Sweet osmanthus

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Sweet osmanthus is an evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 10 feet (3 meters) tall and 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide. Its oval leaves, glossy and ranging from 2 1/2 to 4 inches (6.4 to 10.2 cm) long, emerge bronze and mature to green with slightly serrated edges. Notable are the highly fragrant, cream-white, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) wide flowers that bloom intermittently year-round, with a peak in spring and summer. The plant displays a dense growth habit and requires a growing environment away from hot, dry winds, thriving in temperatures down to 15 to 20°F (-9 to -6°C).