Fake Olive Tree Styling Guide: How to Use a Faux Olive Tree Indoors

Fake Olive Tree Styling Guide: How to Use a Faux Olive Tree Indoors

Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the Olive Tree Right Now

The olive tree has become one of the most sought-after statement plants in Australian interior design — and for good reason. With its silver-green leaves, gnarled trunk, and effortlessly Mediterranean character, the olive tree brings a sense of warmth, age, and organic beauty to any space.

The problem? Real olive trees are notoriously difficult to keep indoors. They need full sun, careful watering, and the right climate — conditions that are nearly impossible to replicate inside most Australian homes and venues.

That's exactly why the faux olive tree has exploded in popularity. A high-quality artificial olive tree gives you everything you love about the real thing — the texture, the colour, the drama — with zero maintenance, zero mess, and zero risk of it dying on you.

How to Choose a Realistic Fake Olive Tree

Not all artificial olive trees are created equal. Here's what to look for when choosing one:

Leaf detail: The best faux olive trees have individual leaves that vary slightly in colour — a mix of silvery-green on top and lighter grey-green underneath, just like the real thing. Avoid trees where every leaf is identical and flat.

Trunk texture: A realistic trunk should have natural-looking bark with slight irregularities and a slightly gnarled, twisted form. Straight, perfectly smooth trunks are a giveaway.

Height: For most living rooms and commercial spaces, a 150cm–180cm olive tree hits the sweet spot — tall enough to make a statement, not so tall it overwhelms the room.

UV resistance: If you're placing your faux olive tree near a window or outdoors on a balcony, make sure it's UV-treated to prevent fading in Australia's harsh sun.

The Best Spots for a Faux Olive Tree Indoors

Living Room

The living room is the most popular spot for a fake olive tree — and it works beautifully. Place it in a corner next to a sofa, beside a fireplace, or flanking a TV unit. The organic form softens hard architectural lines and adds instant warmth.

Styling tip: Pair your olive tree with a textured concrete or terracotta pot to enhance the Mediterranean feel.

Entryway & Hallway

A faux olive tree in an entryway makes a powerful first impression. Because it requires no natural light, it's perfect for those darker entry spaces where a real plant would struggle.

Styling tip: Use two matching olive trees to flank a front door for a symmetrical, boutique-hotel look.

Home Office

Research consistently shows that greenery in a workspace reduces stress and improves focus. A faux olive tree in the corner of a home office brings that biophilic benefit without the worry of watering schedules interrupting your workday.

Restaurant & Hospitality Venues

Faux olive trees have become a staple in Australian restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Their timeless, Mediterranean aesthetic works across virtually every interior style — from rustic Italian trattorias to sleek modern wine bars. Unlike real plants, they never drop leaves onto tables or require seasonal replacement.

Styling a Faux Olive Tree by Interior Style

Mediterranean & Tuscan

This is the olive tree's natural home. Pair with whitewashed walls, terracotta tiles, linen textures, and aged timber furniture. Use an oversized terracotta or aged stone pot. Layer with trailing rosemary or lavender at the base for depth.

Hamptons

The Hamptons look loves an olive tree. Pair with navy and white accents, rattan furniture, and bleached timber floors. Choose a white ceramic or wicker pot. The silver-green of the olive leaves complements the coastal palette perfectly.

Japandi

Japandi design — the blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth — is perfectly suited to the olive tree's organic, sculptural form. Pair with a simple matte black or stone-grey pot, clean-lined furniture, and natural linen. Less is more.

Coastal Australian

For a relaxed Australian coastal interior, pair your faux olive tree with a woven seagrass pot, weathered timber, and soft sandy tones. The silvery leaves echo the colours of coastal native plants like coastal she-oak.

Modern Industrial

Against exposed brick, concrete floors, and black steel frames, a faux olive tree adds essential organic softness. Use a raw concrete or aged metal pot. The contrast between the soft, natural form of the tree and the hard industrial materials creates a compelling visual tension.

Caring for Your Faux Olive Tree (It's Easier Than You Think)

One of the biggest advantages of a faux olive tree is how little it asks of you. Here's all the "care" it needs:

Dusting: Wipe leaves with a slightly damp microfibre cloth every few weeks to keep it looking fresh. For larger trees, a gentle spray with a hose outdoors works well.

Sunlight: Unlike real olive trees, your faux version doesn't need direct sun — though placing it near a window will make it look more natural. If it's UV-treated, it can handle direct outdoor sun too.

Repositioning: Feel free to move it around whenever you redecorate. No repotting, no transplant shock, no waiting for it to adjust.

Where to Buy a Realistic Faux Olive Tree in Australia

At Plant Image, we supply and install premium artificial olive trees across Australia for both residential and commercial clients. Our olive trees are designed to be as realistic as possible — with carefully crafted leaf detail, natural trunk textures, and UV-resistant finishes for outdoor use.

Browse our range of artificial indoor plants or contact us to discuss a custom installation for your home, restaurant, hotel, or commercial space.

We design, deliver, and install across Australia — including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are faux olive trees suitable for outdoor use in Australia? Yes — provided they are UV-treated. Australia's sun is harsh and will fade non-UV-treated artificial plants within months. All Plant Image outdoor artificial plants are UV-resistant for long-lasting colour.

How tall should a fake olive tree be for a living room? For most living rooms with standard 2.4m ceilings, a 150–170cm tree works well. For larger spaces or rooms with high ceilings, go for 180–200cm to make a proper statement.

Do faux olive trees look realistic? A high-quality faux olive tree is remarkably realistic. The key is in the leaf detail and trunk texture — look for subtle colour variation in the leaves and a naturally gnarled trunk form.

Can I use a faux olive tree in a restaurant or cafe? Absolutely — in fact, artificial olive trees are one of the most popular choices for Australian hospitality venues. They're low maintenance, durable, and work beautifully in both indoor and semi-outdoor dining areas.

Ready to find your perfect faux olive tree? Browse our artificial plant collection or get in touch to discuss a custom installation.