Species tea olive
white-orange flowers with yellow center, olive-green leaves and brown branches

tea olive

Osmanthus delavayi

Tea Olive (Osmanthus delavayi) is a fragrant evergreen shrub that is native to central and southwestern China. It has light-green, glossy leaves that have a distinctive aroma when freshly cut. Growing up to 27 feet in height, it produces small white flowers that have a sweet, tea-like odor. It's an ideal garden shrub for adding a touch of fragrance to areas where it's placed. Its strong and dense nature also makes it great for creating a privacy screen or hedge. Tea Olive thrives in well-drained soil and is very drought-tolerant once it's established. It looks its best when pruned lightly in early spring to encourage new growth.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Hardiness Zone:

3

Flowers:

Showy, White, (red stamens) Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Well-drained

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese dunce cap should be watered lightly and only when the soil is slightly dry. Water less often during the winter months, about once every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure to water deeply, as Chinese dunce cap prefers slow and steady watering. Try to avoid waterlogging or drying out the soil, as this could cause the plant to go dormant. Additionally, the plant may benefit from a light misting once a week, especially during the summer months when the plant is actively growing.

sunlight

Chinese dunce cap is a succulent that enjoys a lot of sunlight exposure in order to thrive. This species is best when kept in direct sunshine for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours every day. As an added bonus, they can tolerate more sun if they are kept in a slightly dryer environment that is shaded more often. During the warmer months of the summer and spring, Chinese dunce cap plants should be moved to a brighter location where they can absorb additional sunlight.

pruning

Chinese dunce cap (Orostachys iwarenge) is a robust, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant succulent. Pruning should be done in the early spring when the plant is just beginning to grow. You should only prune it to remove dead or damaged foliage and to shape the plant. Make sure to use clean, sharp tools like pruning shears or scissors, and avoid over-pruning. The amount to prune should be minimal, no more than a third of the plant. This will ensure that the plant still has enough foliage to stay healthy and vibrant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Starts Flowering

Harvest Fruit

Hardiness Map

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.