Species

Pittosporum tobiraJapanese Pittosporum

3 other cultivars

shrub

Dwarf Pittosporum

Pittosporum tobira 'Miss Muffet'

The Story

Plant Bio

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese mock orange, is an evergreen shrub native to the coastal regions of eastern Asia. It is highly valued in cultivation for its leathery, glossy foliage and terminal clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that emit a sweet, orange-blossom fragrance.

'Miss Muffet' is a dwarf, sterile cultivar distinguished by its compact, mounding dome habit that grows twice as wide as it is tall. Its tightly packed, dark green leaves emerge in a bright, contrasting light green, maintaining a neat, rounded form without the need for regular shearing.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, naturally rounded evergreen mound with glossy foliage and fragrant spring flowers.

Functions as a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant groundcover or border plant that thrives in coastal salt spray.

Supports general native pollinators, beneficial insects, and small native bees with nectar-rich spring flowers.

SpeciesPittosporum tobiraJapanese Pittosporum

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Medium to High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Japan, China, and Korea

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Early summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with highly free-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, mounding the soil slightly if planting in clay to prevent waterlogging.
Position the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot, backfill, and water in thoroughly.
Apply a slow-release complete balanced fertiliser in early spring and autumn to support healthy foliage development.

Pro Tip

Ensure proper sub-surface drainage on heavy clay sites by mounding the planting row, as this cultivar collapses rapidly if trapped in stagnant, waterlogged soil.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Ensure the soil is highly free-draining to prevent root rot.
Water regularly while the plant is young and during prolonged dry spells.
Prune lightly immediately after flowering to shape or remove wayward shoots.

Don't

Do not allow the plant to sit in stagnant, waterlogged soils.
Avoid heavy shearing or over-pruning into rigid formal shapes.
Do not prune heavily if you wish to avoid the unpleasant scent emitted by cut branches.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Foundation plantingLow informal hedgeBorder edgingCoastal gardensCourtyard gardensMass planting

Companion Plants

Correa alba Westringia 'Smokey Bush'Lomandra longifolia Dianella caerulea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Dwarf Pittosporum questions

What zones can Dwarf Pittosporum grow in?

Dwarf Pittosporum is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Dwarf Pittosporum bloom?

Dwarf Pittosporum typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Dwarf Pittosporum need full sun?

Dwarf Pittosporum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Dwarf Pittosporum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Dwarf Pittosporum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.