Chinese pittosporum is a lovely choice as an evergreen hedge or screen in a home garden. In spring it offers masses of tiny white flowers with an attractive citrus-blossom scent. This is the ideal plant for a beginner. It is drought tolerant, cold hardy, and requires very little maintenance.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Pittosporum heterophyllum, commonly known as Chinese Pittosporum, is a species of plant in the genus Pittosporum.
Native to China and Tibet, it is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum of 8–10 feet (2.4–3.0 m) tall. It has long been grown in gardens ornamentally, especially as a hedge or screen, in temperate gardens for its densely packed green foliage and the fragrant white to yellow flowers it produces in spring.
As a landscaping plant, it is known for being more cold hardy than Pittosporum tobira and can be grown in hardiness zones 7-9 on the USDA scale.
II. How to Grow and Care
Chinese pittosporum is an adaptable and tolerant plant, making its care relatively straightforward. It requires well-draining soil and consistent moisture, but is drought-tolerant once established. Special care includes pruning to maintain its desired shape and size. Positioning chinese pittosporum in an area that receives partial shade to full sun will promote healthy growth, but it can also tolerate less ideal light conditions.
Sunlight
While the chinese pittosporum grows well in both the sun and partial shade, varieties that have variegated or purple leaves will only keep their unique color when grown in full sun. Other varieties will make do with between 2-6 hours of sun each day, with more sun usually equating to stronger and healthier growth.
Temperature
Native to southern Australia, the chinese pittosporum is a warm-climate plant. Hardy down to -8 ℃, the plant will sometimes even have colder temperatures, but not without significant damage. However, constantly freezing temperatures combined with a cold wind will soon be deadly for the plant. Heat and humidity aren’t a problem for the chinese pittosporum – it will happily handle the hottest part of your garden. Once established, the plant is extremely drought-tolerant too.
Watering
Chinese pittosporum thrives in conditions that mimic its native subtropical habitat, where intermittent rainfall and high humidity are the norm. This species exhibits a preference for evenly moist soil, with moderate drought tolerance once established. Watering should occur once every two weeks to maintain optimal hydration without over-saturating the roots. Chinese pittosporum is commonly grown outdoors due to its adaptability to various climate zones, but it requires well-draining soil to prevent root rot—a critical factor in ensuring healthy water uptake.
Soil
While the chinese pittosporum adapts to a variety of soil types, it does best in a well-drained and loamy soil, with a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH of 5-7. If your soil is extremely heavy or not free draining, dig in an organic material around 1 m deep – this will improve drainage while also enriching the soil. You can also mix in equal amounts of compost and a slow-release fertilizer.
If you are growing your chinese pittosporum in a pot, a high quality light potting mix is best.
Fertilizing
Although not necessary, the chinese pittosporum benefits from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer each spring, such as an 8-8-8. Unless your soil is deficient in certain nutrients, use the lowest recommended concentration rate – over-fertilizing your plant will make it more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Apply when the soil is moist for maximum absorption.
Planting Instructions
Although the chinese pittosporum grows well from seed, germination can take a long time, so you would be best off planting seedlings or small plants. Planting should always be done in the spring or the fall.
Choose a location in your garden that receives sunlight for some or all of the day, but is sheltered from cold winds. If your soil is heavy, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and amend with compost, as this will encourage a stronger root system to develop. Then, remove some soil from the root ball and plant at the same depth that it was previously at, filling the hole back in and firming down the soil. Water thoroughly after planting.
Pruning
The chinese pittosporum takes well to pruning, allowing you to trim it into a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Always prune in the spring and never in the fall or winter – if the cold gets into the cut ends, the whole plant could die. The pruning method chosen should depend on whether you want the plant to grow as a tree, a hedge, or a shrub.
Tree pruning: When your plant is small, make sure that all stems are 10 to 15 cm apart, removing any extras. Once your tree is 1.5 m tall, cut basal suckers back to 6 mm of the trunk to shape the tree. Remove lower branches, leaving lateral branches on the top 61 cm of growth. Continue to do this each year until your tree has grown to your desired size.
Hedge pruning: In the first 2 years after planting your chinese pittosporum hedge, cut away half of any new growth each spring. In the third year, start shaping the hedge – keep the base wider than the top, so that the sides are slightly sloping, as this will allow the sun to reach all parts of the plant. Once your hedge is high and wide enough, trim closely each spring.
Shrub pruning: Each spring, remove any weak, wayward, dead, or diseased branches. You will also need to cut back the main branches to maintain the size of the plant – any cuts made should be 6 mm from an outward-facing branch.
Propagation
Chinese pittosporum is favored for its dense habit and lush foliage, making it an asset for ornamental gardening. For propagation, semi-hardwood cuttings are typically successful. These cuttings should have several leaves and be planted in a well-draining medium that’s kept consistently moist. Rooting hormones can enhance the likelihood of successful propagation. Care should be taken to maintain humidity around the cuttings, often achieved by covering with a plastic dome or misting regularly to encourage root development.
Transplanting
The best window for transplanting chinese pittosporum is when growth is dynamic but not at its peak—ideally from late spring’s warmth to the start of summer’s zenith, or as autumn’s vigor ebbs into early winter’s calm. Relocate chinese pittosporum to a site with well-draining soil and partial sun exposure. Remember to keep its roots intact and moist during the process.
