Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) makes a dense hedge.
Karen Russ, ©HGIC, Clemson Extension
Quick Guide to Growing Pittosporum
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11
Best Soil: Tolerant of a range of soil conditions
Sunlight: Sun to shade
Watering: Drought tolerant once established
Care Tips: Avoid areas with poor drainage and excessive moisture.
Blooming: Fragrant flower clusters in early to mid-spring. Pruning too late in the season may remove next year’s flowers.
Introduction
Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) is a tough, evergreen shrub commonly grown in the midlands and coastal South Carolina. It is native to southern Japan and China. The attractive, dense, evergreen foliage, mounded form, and adaptability to many growing conditions make it popular as hedges and foundation plantings. Excellent salt tolerance makes pittosporum well-suited for planting near the beach.
Growth & Characteristics
Mature Height & Spread: The species can reach a height of 8 to 12 feet or more, with a 12 to 18 foot spread at maturity. The natural form is dense and mounded. Pittosporum responds well to pruning and can be maintained for many years at smaller sizes. Heavy, frequent pruning may mean sacrificing the fragrant flowers. Several cultivars have been selected for compact growth, reaching as little as 2 to 3 feet tall at maturity.
Growth Rate: Japanese pittosporum grows rapidly to 8 to 10 feet tall, then growth slows considerably. Dwarf cultivars grow more slowly than the species.
Ornamental Features
Leaf Characteristics: Glossy evergreen leaves are tightly arranged in whorls at the ends of the branches. Variegated forms are more common in the landscape than the dark green species due to the appeal of their gray-green and cream-colored foliage.
Flowering & Fragrance: Pittosporum bears extremely fragrant, orange-blossom-scented flower clusters in early to mid-spring. The creamy-white flower clusters are two to three inches wide and very showy against the dark green foliage of the species plant. They are less visible against the lighter leaves of variegated cultivars but just as highly scented.
The solid green leaves of Japanese pittosporum are thick and leathery.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Variegated Japanese pittosporum, (Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’) closeup of foliage, Grayton, FL,
Ginger E. Long, © 2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Japanese pittosporum produces fragrant flowers in clusters. The white flowers turn yellow as they age.
Ginger E. Long, © 2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Best Landscape Uses for Pittosporum
Pittosporums are well suited for hedges and screens due to their rapid growth rate, dense foliage, and resilience. They can be pruned into small, multi-stemmed trees by removing lower branches. Dwarf cultivars are attractive in foundation or mass plantings, as well as in containers. Pittosporum has good salt tolerance, including tolerance to salt spray.
How to Grow Pittosporum
Best Soil & Drainage Needs: Pittosporum is tolerant of a range of soil conditions. It can grow in acidic or alkaline soils. It can grow in sandy, loamy, or clayey soils so long as the soil is well-drained.
Sunlight Preferences: Japanese pittosporum will grow well in sun to shade. The variegated cultivars appreciate afternoon shade.
Watering & Drought Tolerance: It is drought tolerant once established, although it is most attractive and healthy when provided with water regularly, especially while becoming established. It is not tolerant of poor drainage or excessive moisture, which can lead to rapid death from root rot diseases.
When to Prune Pittosporum: If flowers are desired, pittosporums should only be pruned immediately after flowering. Pruning too late in the season may remove next year’s flowers.
Cold Tolerance & Protection Tips: Pittosporum is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness zones 8 to 11. It may suffer from cold damage if grown in the upper Piedmont and mountains of South Carolina. Bark splitting from cold damage can increase susceptibility to fungal galls.
Common Problems & Solutions
Insect Issues
- Cottony cushion scale, mealy bugs, and aphids: Horticultural oil sprays are effective against these pests. Sooty mold is a sure sign of aphid or scale infestation.
- Pittosporum psyllid: This pest causes shoot dieback and swollen twigs.
For more information on insect control, see HGIC 2770 Less Toxic Insecticides.
Disease Issues
- Root Rot: Root rot diseases can be lethal for pittosporum, particularly in poorly drained soil. Avoid planting in areas where water accumulates after rains.
For more information on root rot pathogens, see Drying Up Root and Crown Rot Pathogens.
- Leaf Spot Diseases: Several leaf spot diseases can be problems. Preventative measures include ensuring good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and cleaning up fallen leaves to minimize these problems.
CAUTION: Chlorothalonil fungicides can cause leaf drop and even death, especially on variegated cultivars. Chlorothalonil (Daconil) is not labeled for use on pittosporum. Always read pesticide labels before use and use only according to the directions on the label.
- Galls and Dieback: Several fungi can cause galls and dieback. Infection usually enters through wounds such as those caused by split bark from cold damage. Prune out diseased branches six inches below symptoms. Disinfect pruners between each cut with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol or a 10 percent bleach solution.
Nutrient Deficiencies
- Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium deficiency can occur when the soil pH is too high. Yellowing at the edges and between the veins of mature or older leaves is a symptom of magnesium deficiency.
A soil test can confirm if the soil is deficient in magnesium or other nutrients. For more information on soil testing, see HGIC 1652, Soil Testing.
Popular Pittosporum Cultivars
Compact & Dwarf Varieties
- Cream De Mint® (Pittosporum tobira ‘Shima’) is a slow-growing dwarf that eventually reaches 2 to 2.5 feet tall and wide. The variegated foliage emerges light green in spring, then turns a silvery green with cream edges with age.
- MoJo® (Pittosporum tobira ‘CNI Three’ PP16,188) has a compact habit, slowly growing to 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide, with glossy variegated foliage. MoJo® is more cold tolerant than the species and is hardy in USDA planting zones 7 to 10 making it suitable to plant in the upstate of South Carolina.
- ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ has shiny, dark green foliage. It grows to 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide and has a dense habit.
The new foliage is light green on Cream de Mint® dwarf variegated pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira ‘Shima’)
Ginger E. Long, © 2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
‘Wheelers Dwarf’ pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’) edges a sidewalk in Charleston, SC.
Ginger E. Long, ©HGIC, Clemson Extension
Larger Varieties for Hedges and Screens
- ‘Glen St. Mary’ is a solid green-leaved cultivar that grows 6 to 8 feet tall at a moderate growth rate.
- ‘Variegatum’ is a popular variegated cultivar. It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide with gray-green leaves with a white edge.
Numerous pittosporum cultivars and species are grown on the U.S. West Coast. Most have yet to be tested in the Southeast, and the list of pittosporums that can be grown here is likely to increase.
Propagating Pittosporum
Propagation is by semi-hardwood cuttings taken from mid-July to September and treated with a root-promoting compound. Cuttings root best in a well-drained potting medium of 50% peat and 50% perlite. Maintain high humidity around the cuttings. Generally, pittosporum is very easy to propagate. For more information on propagation, see Making More: Propagation by Cuttings.
Additional Resources
- Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (6th ed., p. 1325). Stipes Publishing LLC.
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pittosporum-tobira/
- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP483
Originally published 03/07
