Quick answer: Mexican olive (Cordia boissieri) is native to 1 state. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Full sun, tolerates part shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low-Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained caliche/sand/sandy loam/clay, alkaline to neutral |
| Bloom | Year-round, peak late spring-early summer |
| Height | Up to 30 ft |
| Wildlife value | Nectar for birds/butterflies/insects, fruit eaten by birds/deer/cattle |
Excessive fruit consumption may cause tipsiness in deer/cattle
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 15 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Mexican olive
Where is Mexican olive native?
Mexican olive (Cordia boissieri) is native to Texas. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Mexican olive bloom?
Mexican olive blooms Year-round, peak late spring-early summer. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Mexican olive need?
Light: Full sun, tolerates part shade. Water: Low-Medium. Soil: Well-drained caliche/sand/sandy loam/clay, alkaline to neutral. Mature height: Up to 30 ft.
Is Mexican olive good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Nectar for birds/butterflies/insects, fruit eaten by birds/deer/cattle.
Is Mexican olive deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Mexican olive is drought-tolerant.
Is Mexican olive toxic?
Excessive fruit consumption may cause tipsiness in deer/cattle.
Where can I buy Mexican olive?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 15 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Cordia boissieri by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Mexican olive.
- Texas persimmon Diospyros texana
- Mealy blue sage Salvia farinacea
- Texas ebony Ebenopsis ebano
- Mexican buckeye Ungnadia speciosa
- Drummond phlox Phlox drummondii
- Engelmann's prickly pear (cactus apple) Opuntia engelmannii
Also listed under
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