Thorny Olive: A Problematic Plant You Should Skip
If you’re browsing plant catalogs and come across thorny olive (Elaeagnus pungens), you might be tempted by its promise of low-maintenance greenery and fragrant fall blooms. But before you add this shrub to your cart, there’s something important you need to know: this seemingly innocent plant has a dark side that makes it a poor choice for responsible gardeners.
What Is Thorny Olive?
Thorny olive is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 13 to 16 feet tall, though it can sometimes reach greater heights or develop a single trunk under certain conditions. Despite its common name, this plant isn’t actually related to true olives – it’s an entirely different species that earned its nickname from its silvery, olive-like leaves.
The shrub features dense, thorny branches with distinctive leaves that are dark green on top and silvery underneath, giving the plant an attractive two-toned appearance. In fall, it produces small, tubular, fragrant flowers followed by red to brown berries.
The Problem: It’s an Invasive Species
Here’s where things get complicated. Thorny olive isn’t native to the United States – it originally hails from China and Japan. Since its introduction, it has established itself as an invasive species in multiple states, earning a Category 2 invasive status in Alabama and being classified as simply Invasive in North Carolina.
Currently, you can find thorny olive growing wild in Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The plant reproduces spontaneously without human help and tends to persist, which means it can crowd out native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.
Why Some People Plant It (And Why You Shouldn’t)
It’s easy to see why thorny olive initially appealed to gardeners:
- Extremely low maintenance once established
- Tolerates poor soils, drought, and salt spray
- Works well as barrier plantings due to its thorny nature
- Provides fall nectar for pollinators when few other plants are blooming
- Thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10
- Handles both full sun and partial shade
However, these very characteristics that make it easy to grow are exactly what make it problematic in the wild. Its ability to thrive in various conditions and reproduce readily means it can quickly establish itself in natural areas and outcompete native plants.
Limited Wildlife Value
While thorny olive does provide some benefits to wildlife, these benefits are quite modest. Large animals use it for only 2-5% of their diet and sparsely use it for cover. Small mammals and terrestrial birds get about 5-10% of their diet from the plant but only infrequently use it for shelter. These limited benefits don’t justify the ecological risks.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of planting thorny olive, consider these native alternatives that provide similar benefits without the invasive risks:
- American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) for fall interest and wildlife food
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) for fragrant flowers and bird habitat
- Native hollies for evergreen screening and bird food
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) for wildlife benefits and edible berries
The Bottom Line
While thorny olive might seem like an attractive, low-maintenance option for your landscape, its invasive nature makes it a poor choice for environmentally conscious gardeners. The plant’s ability to escape cultivation and establish in wild areas poses a real threat to native ecosystems. Instead of contributing to this problem, choose native alternatives that provide equal or greater benefits to both your garden and local wildlife.
Remember, gardening is about more than just creating a beautiful space – it’s about being a good steward of the environment. By choosing native plants over invasive species like thorny olive, you’re helping preserve the natural heritage of your region for future generations.
