34 saves
Pittosporum
We track 8 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 8 most-saved Pittosporum varieties
Species of Pittosporum
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Pittosporum in Sow
Save the Pittosporum you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Pittosporum
Whats common across all Pittosporum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them.
The Pittosporum year
- PruneJune100% of varieties
Requires very little pruning. Shape in late winter if needed.
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Feed with a general-purpose slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
- Check for PestsApril–July63% of varieties
Inspect foliage for psyllids, scale, and associated sooty mould.
- PropagateJuly and August50% of varieties
Take semi-hardwood cuttings during the warm summer months.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October38% of varieties
Plant anytime in fall or spring in well-drained soil.
- MulchMay38% of varieties
Apply a generous layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and protect roots.
Do
- Ensure the planting site has excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
- Provide good drainage.
- Water deeply but infrequently after it's established.
- Allow it to maintain its natural mounding shape.
- Use it in hot, dry, or coastal locations where other plants struggle.
Avoid
- Do not plant in poorly drained or boggy soils.
- Avoid shearing into a formal shape, which spoils its character.
- Don't overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
- Do not worry about deer; they tend to leave it alone.
What goes wrong with Pittosporum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on new growth, causing distortion. | A strong spray of water can dislodge them. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
| Cottony Cushion Scale | White, fluted egg sacs on stems and leaves; sticky honeydew. | Encourage natural predators like vedalia beetles. Use horticultural oil. For heavy infestations, systemic insecticides may be needed. |
| Psyllids and scale | Leaf distortion, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould. | Prune out heavily infested tips and apply horticultural oils or systemic insecticides if severe. |
| Borers | Larvae tunnel into the branches and trunk, causing dieback, structural weakness, and exit holes with sawdust-like frass. | Prune out heavily infested branches below the damage point; maintain plant vigor through proper watering and avoid physical bark injury. |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo. | Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Remove and discard infected leaves. Apply a copper-based fungicide if severe. |
| Root Rot | Overwatering or planting in heavy, poorly drained soils induces root rot, leading to rapid foliage decline and plant death. | Ensure high drainage and avoid waterlogged conditions; do not overwater. |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves, sudden wilting, and plant collapse due to Phytophthora or fungal root pathogens in poorly drained soils. | Improve soil drainage, avoid overwatering, and apply a registered fungicide if caught early; remove heavily affected plants. |
Making more Pittosporum
Semi-hardwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings in summer from current season's growth.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a mix of sand and peat.
- Keep moist and humid; rooting can take several months.
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings during the warmer months of the year.
- Dip the cut ends in a rooting hormone to encourage root development.
- Place the cuttings in a well-drained propagation mix under misting conditions.
- Grow on the rooted clones to maintain the specific cultivar traits.
Pittosporum questions
How many types of Pittosporum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Pittosporum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 34 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Pittosporum grow in?
Across its varieties, Pittosporum covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Pittosporum bloom?
Most Pittosporum varieties bloom in late spring, spring, winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Pittosporum 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.