Also known as Boobialla · 28 saves
Myoporum
Myoporum, the genus most gardeners know as boobialla. We track 4 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Myoporum varieties
Browse all 4 Myoporum varieties →
3 species of Myoporum
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Myoporum in Sow
Save the Myoporum you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Myoporum
Whats common across all Myoporum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them.
The Myoporum year
- PruneMarch, April and August100% of varieties
Prune after the main spring flowering flush to maintain a dense shape and remove any frost-damaged tips.
- Check for PestsJune and July100% of varieties
Inspect the inner foliage and stems for aphids and scale insects during warm summer months.
- PropagateJuly and August75% of varieties
Collect firm, current-season tip cuttings for propagation.
- FertilizeMarch50% of varieties
Apply a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer if growth is sluggish.
Do
- Plant in highly permeable, sandy, or well-drained soils to prevent root rot.
- Prune regularly to maintain a dense, compact habit when grown as a hedge.
- Protect young plants from deer and rabbit browsing with physical barriers.
- Prune lightly at the tips to encourage denser growth and maintain neat borders.
- Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot.
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soils where water pools seasonally.
- Avoid applying high-phosphorus or heavy chemical fertilizers.
- Do not leave long, bare stubs when pruning back into older wood.
- Do not prune heavily into old, leafless woody stems, as they fail to regenerate reliably.
What goes wrong with Myoporum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small, soft-bodied insects on new growth, causing leaf curling and sticky honeydew. | Apply insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils directly to the affected foliage. |
| Scale insects | Small, hard, brown bumps on stems and leaf undersides, accompanied by yellowing foliage. | Spray with horticultural oil during the crawler stage or scrape off minor infestations manually. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippled, dusty-looking foliage in hot, dry, dusty locations. | Hose down the foliage regularly to disrupt breeding cycles and increase local humidity. |
| Myoporum Thrips | Leaf curling, distorted shoot tips, leaf drop, and branch dieback. | Prune out and dispose of heavily infested tips, then apply insecticidal soaps or neem oil to control remaining populations. |
| Root rot | Foliage yellowing, wilting, and sudden dieback caused by Phytophthora or Pythium species in wet soils. | Ensure strict soil drainage and avoid overwatering; remove severely infected plants. |
| Root Rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing, and dieback of entire stems, associated with soggy soil. | Improve soil drainage, reduce irrigation frequency, and remove affected plants immediately. |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery fungal growth on leaves in stagnant, highly humid, shaded areas. | Prune surrounding vegetation to improve air circulation and restrict planting to sunnier spots. |
Making more Myoporum
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 3- to 4-inch cuttings from semi-hardwood trailing stems in late summer.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
- Insert the cut end into a moist, free-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep the medium lightly moist and place in a warm, bright location out of direct sun until roots form.
Tip cuttings
- Take firm, current-season semi-hardwood tip cuttings in late summer.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep the medium moist and place in a warm, humid environment with indirect light until roots form.
Myoporum questions
How many types of Myoporum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Myoporum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 28 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Myoporum grow in?
Across its varieties, Myoporum covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Myoporum bloom?
Most Myoporum varieties bloom in spring, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Myoporum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.