Tom Thumb pittosporum

Sun

Full sun for the darkest leaf colour; tolerates partial shade, where foliage is usually greener.

Water

Water regularly during establishment, then during prolonged dry spells. Keep container plants evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Soil

Well-drained loam, sandy soil or improved clay; tolerates acidic, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. Avoid sites that stay wet in winter.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Small, dark purple, honey-scented flowers in late spring to early summer; often sparse and hidden among the leaves.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, glossy, slightly wavy-edged leaves open lime green, then mature to deep purple or bronze-purple.

Growth

Slow

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.7 ft (0.53 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.8 ft (0.56 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.9 ft (0.59 m)

5. After 5 years

   2.2 ft (0.66 m)

About 8 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Slow

• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.
• Apply a 2 in (5 cm) layer of organic mulch in spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring if growth is weak; avoid heavy feeding that encourages soft growth.
• Choose a sheltered position away from frost pockets and cold, drying winds.
• Use a container with drainage holes and protect its root ball from prolonged freezing.

Pruning. Lightly trim in late spring or early summer to maintain a rounded shape, and remove dead or frost-damaged shoots once new growth reveals what has survived. Avoid hard cutting into old, leafless wood and late-season trimming.

Spring

Plant once the soil is workable and severe frost has passed; water thoroughly.

Spring

Refresh mulch and apply a light feed only if needed.

Late spring

Check for winter damage and cut dead shoots back to healthy growth.

Early summer

Lightly trim stray shoots; take semi-ripe cuttings as the season progresses.

Summer

Water young plants during dry weather and check container moisture regularly.

Late autumn

Move pots to a sheltered position and check that drainage holes remain clear.

Winter

Use horticultural fleece during severe cold spells, especially on young plants.

• Repeat rounded shrubs along a path for low, dark evergreen structure.
• Pair with silver-leaved lavender or pale ornamental grasses for foliage contrast.
• Use as a compact anchor in a sunny mixed border, beside lighter green or white-flowered plants.
• Grow in a large, well-drained container in a sheltered courtyard.

Garden styles it suits: Modern, Modern courtyard, Coastal, Dry gravel garden, Small-space and Winter interest.

Plant it with: English lavender, Santolina, Lamb's ears, Mexican feather grass, White gaura and Hebes.

Wildlife: The small scented flowers can attract visiting insects when produced. Its dense evergreen growth provides modest shelter, but this cultivar is grown mainly for foliage rather than wildlife value.

• Frost scorch and shoot dieback: provide shelter, protect young plants during severe freezes and wait until spring growth before removing damaged wood.
• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage or relocate the plant; do not leave pots standing in water.
• Scale insects and associated sooty mould: inspect stems and leaf undersides, remove small infestations by hand and use a labelled horticultural oil if needed.
• Greener-than-expected foliage: move to a sunnier position if practical; fresh lime-green growth is normal and darkens as it matures.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific information is limited. No part is intended as food; discourage pets and children from eating the leaves, fruit or seeds.

• Purple kōhūhū (Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Purpureum')

  Has similar purple foliage but develops into a much larger, more upright shrub rather than a low, compact mound.

• Golf Ball pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball')

  Also forms a compact rounded shrub, but its foliage stays green rather than maturing to deep purple.

• Purple hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea')

  Usually taller and more upright, with longer, narrower leaves and papery winged fruits rather than pittosporum's splitting seed capsules.

Pittosporum means 'pitch seed', referring to the sticky seed coating, tenuifolium means 'thin-leaved', and 'Tom Thumb' refers to the cultivar's small stature.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root them in a free-draining propagation mix under humid conditions. Seed-grown plants will not reliably retain the cultivar's compact habit and purple foliage.

Accepted botanical name

Pittosporum tenuifolium

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

New Zealand North and New Zealand South.

Measured

Average height 710 cm.

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