Tawhiwhi
Pittosporum tenuifolium · Pittosporaceae
📷 Rudolph89 · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around tawhiwhi and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fine and graceful, glossy dark green
- Flowering
- May to June, small discreet dark red or purple flowers, very fragrant
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height, upright and compact habit
- Growth
- Moderate to fast depending on conditions
- Hardiness
- Moderate (–5 to –8 °C); sensitive to intense cold
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Soil type
- Well-drained, enriched with organic matter, neutral to slightly acidic pH
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Pittosporum tenuifolium prefers fertile, well-structured soil that's not too dry. Wind-tolerant, it excels as a coastal windbreak screen.
The common mistake
Don't neglect it in poor or compacted soil: it gets leggy, loses density, and becomes a skeletal shrub with sparse flowers.
The pro's trick
Grab a few stems in winter for bouquets: light pruning also stimulates branching.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer) to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn-winter. Avoid prolonged drying out and excess moisture, which encourage fungal diseases. Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Exposure
Plant your pittosporum in full sun to encourage dense growth and generous flowering. It tolerates partial shade, but prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Protect it from cold and drying winds, especially in cold regions.
Pruning
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain a compact, shrubby shape. Remove dead or damaged wood. Light pruning after flowering (June) encourages branching. Avoid severe cutting, which would slow growth.
Fertiliser
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring when growth resumes, then space out applications in summer. A fertiliser for ornamental foliage shrubs works perfectly. Adding organic matter (compost) in autumn gradually feeds the soil.
Soil
Pittosporum prefers rich, well-structured, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or potting soil before planting. Avoid overly compact chalky soils. Optimal drainage prevents root rot, particularly in humid climates.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew and root rot if moisture is excessive. Scale insects and spider mites can develop in dry conditions. Promote good air circulation through airy pruning and avoid foliage watering. Act quickly at the first sign of symptoms.
Did you know?
New Zealand pittosporum bears the poetic Maori name 'kohuhu'. Its small, highly fragrant red flowers attract local birds. In Europe, this elegant shrub conquered Mediterranean and oceanic gardens in the 19th century, and has become a classic of modern landscape design for its flexible cultivation and refined foliage.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- PittosporumPittosporum tobira
- Chinese PittosporumPittosporum heterophyllum
- Bursaria spinosaBursaria spinosa
- Billardiera scandensBillardiera scandens
- Pittosporum angustifoliumPittosporum angustifolium
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.