Japanese pittosporum

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; provide afternoon shade in very hot inland gardens and shelter from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established shrubs tolerate short dry spells, but grow better with occasional deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained soil, including sandy or loamy ground; tolerates a broad pH range. Avoid waterlogged clay and sites where winter rain collects.

Height

6-15 ft (1.8-4.6 m)

Spread

6-15 ft (1.8-4.6 m)

Flowers

Clusters of small, fragrant flowers open white and age to creamy yellow in late spring to early summer.

Foliage

Evergreen. Thick, glossy, dark green leaves with rounded tips and edges that curl slightly under, clustered near the ends of shoots.

Growth

Moderate; slower in dry conditions and cooler climates.

Care needed

Low

• Water deeply during the first growing season whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Let the soil drain between waterings; do not leave container plants standing in water.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; feed container plants according to the fertiliser label.
• Protect young plants from hard frost, and move containers under cover before prolonged freezing weather.

Pruning. Prune just after flowering, shortening long shoots and removing damaged or crossing branches. For a hedge, trim lightly rather than repeatedly shearing through the large leaves; frequent clipping also reduces flowering.

Spring

Plant after the risk of hard frost has passed, water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Spring

Check for frost-damaged shoots and remove dead growth once new buds reveal what has survived.

Late spring

Enjoy the fragrant flowers; delay hedge trimming until flowering finishes.

Early summer

Prune to shape after flowering and inspect shoot tips for aphids or scale.

Summer

Water young plants and containers during dry spells; give established shrubs a deep soak during prolonged drought.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Late autumn

Move containers to a bright, frost-protected place where winters exceed the plant's tolerance.

• Plant as a dense evergreen boundary hedge in mild coastal gardens.
• Use as a rounded background shrub behind lavender, agapanthus or ornamental grasses.
• Place near a path or seating area where the spring flower scent can be appreciated.
• Grow in a large container to frame an entrance or sheltered courtyard.

Garden styles it suits: Coastal, Mediterranean, Japanese, Formal, Modern courtyard and Sensory garden.

Plant it with: Lavender, Agapanthus, Rosemary, Rock rose, New Zealand flax and Lilyturf.

Wildlife: The flowers attract bees and other insects. Dense branches provide shelter for small birds, and birds may eat and disperse the sticky seeds.

• Scale insects can cause sticky honeydew and black sooty mould: remove small infestations by hand and use a labelled horticultural oil if needed.
• Aphids may distort young shoots: wash them off with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators.
• Root rot causes yellowing, wilting and dieback in wet soil: improve drainage, reduce watering and replace badly affected plants.
• Hard frost and cold winds can scorch leaves or kill shoots: choose a sheltered site, protect young plants and prune dead growth in spring.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs or horses. Reliable information on toxicity to people is limited; the fruit and seeds are not food and should not be eaten.

Where it spreads. Can escape gardens and is reported as an environmental weed in parts of Australia, including New South Wales. It also naturalises in parts of Mediterranean Europe; check local weed guidance before planting near natural vegetation.

• Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum)

  Has longer, pointed leaves with conspicuously wavy margins and usually develops into a taller tree; Japanese pittosporum has broader, blunt-tipped leaves.

• Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium)

  Usually has smaller, thinner leaves, dark slender stems and tiny dark purple flowers rather than creamy white flower clusters.

• Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius)

  Is deciduous, with opposite, toothed leaves and much larger white flowers; Japanese pittosporum keeps its thick, smooth-edged leaves year-round.

Pittosporum comes from Greek words meaning pitch and seed, referring to the sticky seed coating, while tobira is derived from the plant's Japanese name.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium with gentle humidity. Seed is another option, but seedlings vary and do not reliably retain cultivar features.

Accepted botanical name

Pittosporum tobira

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states and Pacific Basin.

Native range

Japan, Korea, Nansei-shoto and Taiwan.

Measured

Soil pH 5.5 to 7. Average height 610 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.