• Olive trees can grow in pots.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Olive trees grow in pots in New Jersey where they can live indoor year-round in a sunny location, or they can winter inside and summer on the patio. Olive trees are hardy and adaptable but will not survive outside in New Jersey winters. The United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones for New Jersey are 6 and 7. Temperatures can drop to minus 10 degrees F in winter. Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region where it is warm and humid most of the year.
  
  

Potted Trees Outside

• Move potted olive trees outside in the spring in New Jersey after the last frost. The tree thrives in full sun in summer in the state because the air is humid and the statewide average mean temperature is in the high 70s. Bring the olive tree inside when the temperature drops to about 40 degrees F. Freezing temperatures can kill an olive tree.
  
  

Little Ollie (Olea europaea 'Montra')

• The New York Times called the Little Ollie (Olea europaea 'Montra') dwarf olive tree especially well suited to pots. It is ornamental and does not bear fruit, but gives the look and feel of the Mediterranean olive tree. It grows 4- to 6-feet tall and wide. In New Jersey during winter, keep the olive tree inside the house by a south- or west-facing window. In spring, move the pot to an outdoor location in full sun. Water it regularly.
  
  

Sevillano

• In New Jersey, plant the Sevillano olive tree in a pot in early fall, give it as much sun as possible. When you bring it inside before the first frost, put it in a sunny location. This olive tree is one of the strongest growers, according to a California Rare Fruit Growers Association. Plant it in rich, well-drained soil. It needs pruning in the pot to restrict its growth. When it produces fruit, it is large and black when ripe and only useful in pickling.
  
  

Mission

• The mission olive tree originated at the missions in California in the 1800s, but you can plant it in a pot and keep it indoors during New Jersey winters. The best time to pot olive trees is fall; the second best time is spring. If you plant in the spring, the tree can be outside during the New Jersey spring, summer and early fall. In winter, keep it inside by a sunny window. This tree is hardy and more cold resistant than others. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and moderate water.
  
  

Rubra

• The Rubra is a product of France, known for hardy growth. It is more drought tolerant than most cultivars but likes full sun and well-drained soil. To achieve this effect in New Jersey, plant the tree in a pot and during winter months place it by a west- or south-facing window. In spring and summer, move the pot outdoor into the full sun. This olive tree produces medium, black fruit mostly used for oil.