Help! Olive tree browning leaves

Well it looks to be bone dry. Give it a thorough soaking now, allowing excess to drain away freely from the bottom of the pot. Then water when the surface of the soil feels just about dry to the touch, and again, water well, with a good 2 litres of water. In such a small pot on a sunny balcony, I'd anticipate watering every day, to be honest. And I have to say, it doesn't really look like a standard olive tree - did it have a label with a name on it? The leaves look too narrow, but perhaps they are curled up where its nearly died of drought, not sure...

Yes, looks very different to mine...bigger and narrower leaves.

I have a very small Olive tree in a pot (like a bonsai) and it seems quite natural to lose a leaf or two at this time of year. I keep it outside and water it every other day . . . it is in very well- drained compost by the way.

Funny you should mention bonsai, Sheilabub - now the photo of the plant on the table has been added, I do wonder if this was sold as a bonsai and intended to be kept that way... either way, it needs more water than its been getting.

Yes - agreed Bamboo!

We have to water potted olive trees twice a day, here. In a tiny pot like that, in Madrid, I would expect it to need water at least once a day.

Thanks so much for all your help everyone! We gave it a good soak yesterday and watered it again today and will definitely water more regularly and keep an eye on it. hopefully it will be okay and will recover well!