One of my greatest life achievements is that I kept my beloved fiddleleaf fig alive for six years. This may seem silly, but if you know how finicky these plants can be, you know it’s not an easy task. I remember seeing them in my favorite home blogger’s space and longing to have my own space. They eventually became popular enough to start showing up at Costco regularly. My mom was kind enough to pick one up for me. The trend for indoor plants is slowly changing now. Rather than choosing the fiddle leaf fig’s large, showy leaves to make a statement, designers opted for a more delicate, understated beauty. This plant is the black olive tree, also known as the “Shady Lady.”
All About the Black Olive Tree (AKA The Shady Lady)
I spoke with Rewild co-founder and chief marketing officer Lily Cox to get the lowdown on all things Shady Lady. Rewild is a professional indoor plant store with multiple locations in Washington, DC. Are you ready to learn about the new It-girl plant in the design world? Read on for everything you need to know!
Lily Cox
Lily Cox is the co-founder and chief marketing officer of Rewild, a specialty indoor plant store with multiple locations in Washington, DC.
What is the Shady Lady?
This plant has several names – Black Olive Tree, Shady Lady or its botanical name busida. They are striking trees with an abundance of small leaves. Their delicate foliage has made them a recent favorite among designers, especially on the West Coast. “This factory has been running for the past few years,” Cox shared. “If you have other plants, especially other trees like ficus or fiddleleaf, then you will be able to manage Shady Lady easily.”
Indoors, black olive trees can grow to over 15 feet tall. It’s best to give them a home with room to grow. These warm-weather plants are native to the Caribbean and South and Central America. They require lots of light and frequent watering. While some say black olive trees are high-maintenance plants, Cox’s time with “Shady Lady” has been unexpectedly enjoyable. “The team at Rewild was really surprised by how simple and straightforward the plants were,” she said.
How much light does a black olive tree need?
It’s easy to fall in love with a plant based solely on aesthetics – especially ‘Shady Lady’. I brought back some plants that died quickly because I had no idea what kind of environment and care they needed. I just like the way it looks. If you plan on bringing a black olive tree into your home, you’ll want to make sure you have a sunny spot.
“They do like light,” Cox shared. “You don’t have to install them specifically in an accessible south-facing window, although placing them near a south, east or west-facing window will do.” It’s best to choose an area in your home that gets plenty of light throughout the day. You want to make sure that you see the light hitting the leaves of your black olive tree and that the light hits the leaves as much as possible. Leaves that don’t get enough light will begin to droop and eventually fall. As long as you have a sunny spot in your home, your black olive tree will thrive.
“They’ve done a really good job taking care of us. They even dropped very few leaves, which surprised me because they have so many small, beautiful leaves on them,” Cox gushes. “They performed surprisingly well.”
How often should I water my black olive tree?
Cox waters her “Shady Lady” about once a week and pays close attention to the black olive tree’s soil. “They like to water frequently,” she said. “We determine their water needs by digging our fingers directly into the soil at the base of the plant up to the first knuckle of the index finger. The top two inches need to feel dry. Then give it a good, deep watering.
If you’re not sure the soil is dry enough, Cox recommends waiting a day or two. Check again after 24 hours to make sure there is no moisture. However, Cox recommends not subjecting your black olive tree to a strict watering schedule and instead developing an interactive relationship with your plant. “I tend to avoid prescriptive plant care and go more reactive. It makes your life so much easier,” she says.
The amount of water your black olive tree needs depends on the amount of light the plant receives each day and how dry the air in your home is. She recommends finding a routine that’s unique to you and your plants and simply checking the soil and watering when it’s dry. “But good drainage is really important,” she points out. “Once the contents of the pot are completely saturated, make sure there is enough room for the water to drain from the bottom of the pot.”
Where can I buy black olive trees?
Despite its popularity, this plant is not yet commonly found in specialty plant stores. Cox recommends going to your local plant store and asking the owner if they can buy one for you. “If your local plant store has developed enough relationships with different growers, you can ask them to source one for you,” she says. If your home doesn’t have enough lighting, you can also opt for artificial lights.
How do I style the Shady Lady in my home?
Shady Lady has quietly appeared in interior design print magazines and more. While this year’s interior trends are all about maximalism and bold design choices, the black olive tree is by far the most coveted indoor plant, known for its delicate and dignified features. If you want to create a sense of calm in your home, or want to add a touch of luxury to your space, Shady Lady is an obvious indoor plant choice. “I think they’re perfect for a home with a European or Mediterranean feel,” says Cox. “Even the aesthetic of the West Coast, especially Los Angeles.”
Adding plants like black olive trees to your home will breathe life into your space. Tall and picturesque, the Shady Lady will look stunning in your living room, entryway or even your bedroom. It’s also worth noting that these trees don’t actually bear fruit. (No need to worry about picking black olives!) As long as you have full sun and are willing to water as needed, the Shady Lady will be a great addition to your home.
