What soil does Russian olive grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, clay, calcareous.

Is Russian olive hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Russian olive toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Russian olive toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

How far from the house should Russian olive be planted?

Plant it at least 4 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Russian olive be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 3 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

When does Russian olive flower?

Flowering: May–June, yellow, white.

How much water does Russian olive need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

What should I plant instead of Russian olive?

We do not recommend it because it is on the EU or the Hungarian list of invasive species. For a similar purpose we recommend: Common hawthorn, Field maple, Judas tree, Crab apple 'Evereste'.

Russian olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a small tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €20. We do not recommend it because it is on the EU or the Hungarian list of invasive species.

Illustration of Russian olive — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A thorny large shrub or small tree from Asia with narrow silvery leaves and tiny, strongly scented yellow flowers in late May and June. It is sold because it copes superbly with drought, saline and alkaline soil, wind and pruning, looks like an olive tree, and its mealy, sweetish fruit is edible. It is an invasive species: birds spread its seeds, and it takes over saline grasslands, wet meadows and riverbanks, so planting it is not advised.

We do not recommend this plant

We do not recommend it because it is on the EU or the Hungarian list of invasive species. Further down we show what to plant instead.

Watch out for

Invasive. Many birds eat the fruit, so seeds germinate far from the garden and stay viable for three years; a damaged or felled tree regrows from sprouts. In Central Europe it mainly takes over lowland saline grasslands, wetter meadows and the banks of rivers and canals, where it forms closed thickets, helps weeds establish by fixing nitrogen and pushes out rare and protected plants. Once present it is very hard to eradicate. In Hungary the government decree on the protection of woody plants lists it as an invasive species: it may not be planted, or used as a replacement, in public spaces and other areas in public use, and the annex's exception for horticultural cultivars does not apply to this species. On Natura 2000 grasslands its establishment and spread must be prevented, and conservation authorities advise against planting it in gardens too. Other problems: strong thorns on the branches, an irregular trunk that often leans, and branch dieback from canker and verticillium wilt.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 5 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, yellow, white

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	5 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	4–10 m × 4–8 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, yellow, white
Harvest	September–October
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 4 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €20

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

What to plant instead

Recommended plants that do the same job, with similar characteristics.

Common hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna 4 m × 3 m after 10 years

A thorny large shrub or small tree that is covered in scented white blossom in May and loaded with red haws in autumn, much loved by birds. It makes…

Small tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €23

Field maple

Acer campestre 4.5 m × 3 m after 10 years

A native, undemanding small to medium tree that copes with drought, lime and clay, city air and hard clipping, and turns a good yellow in autumn. Left…

Small tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €16

Judas tree

Cercis siliquastrum 6 m × 4 m after 10 years

Pink-purple flowers appear on bare branches and even the trunk in spring, followed by rounded, heart-shaped leaves that provide light summer shade.…

Small tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €6.90

Crab apple 'Evereste'

Malus 'Evereste' 5 m × 3 m after 10 years

'Evereste' is a small flowering tree with abundant spring blossom and colourful little apples that often remain on the branches into winter. Give it a…

Small tree

Full sun

Part shade

from about €86

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
120-160 cm	approx. €20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Reflexed stonecrop

Sedum reflexum

Atlas fescue

Festuca mairei

Mediterranean spurge

Euphorbia characias