Types of Pittosporum Plants: 10 Best Pittosporum Varieties

Pittosporum plants are renowned for their versatility, offering a diverse range of cultivars suitable for various landscapes and climates. From compact shrubs to towering trees, Pittosporum varieties boast an array of foliage colors, textures, and fragrances, making them prized additions to gardens worldwide.

In this article, we explore the top 10 Pittosporum varieties, highlighting their unique features and ideal growing conditions, empowering you to select the perfect Pittosporum plant types for your garden paradise.

Types of Pittosporum Plants

Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum Tobira)

Japanese Pittosporum is a popular pittosporum species native to Japan, China, and Korea, prized for its glossy, leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers. This versatile plant thrives in a variety of climates, from coastal regions to inland landscapes, making it a popular choice for gardens, hedges, and borders.

Characterized by its dense, rounded form, Japanese Pittosporum typically reaches 6 to 10 feet in height with a similar spread, though it can be pruned to maintain a more compact size. Its foliage, ranging from dark green to variegated cultivars, adds year-round interest to the landscape, while its clusters of small, star-shaped blooms emit a sweet, citrus-like scent in spring.

Kohuhu (Pittosporum Tenuifolium)

Kohuhu is a striking evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, celebrated for its elegant, slender leaves and compact growth habit. With its graceful, arching branches and glossy, dark green foliage, Kohuhu adds a touch of sophistication to any landscape setting.

This versatile shrub thrives in a range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to various soil types, provided they are well-draining. Kohuhu typically reaches heights of 6 to 15 feet, though it can be pruned to maintain a more compact form or trained into a small tree.

Lemonwood (Pittosporum Eugenioides)

Lemonwood, also known as Tarata, is a native New Zealand evergreen tree valued for its sweetly scented white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. With a graceful, upright habit, Lemonwood typically grows to heights of 20 to 30 feet, though it can reach up to 50 feet in optimal conditions. The foliage emits a lemony fragrance when crushed; hence its common name, adding a delightful sensory element to the garden.

In spring and early summer, Lemonwood produces clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. This hardy tree thrives in various soil types, including clay and sandy soils, and is tolerant of coastal conditions. It grows optimal in full sun to partial shade and benefits from regular watering, especially during dry periods.

Karaka or Stiff-Leaf Pittosporum (Pittosporum Crassifolium)

Karaka, also known as Stiff-leaf Pittosporum, is a native New Zealand evergreen shrub or small tree recognized for its distinctive stiff, leathery leaves and dense growth habit. This resilient plant typically reaches heights of 10 to 20 feet, forming a rounded canopy of foliage. Karaka is valued for its ornamental foliage, which ranges from glossy dark green to gray-green, adding texture and interest to the landscape.

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In spring, it produces clusters of small, fragrant, cream-colored flowers, followed by ornamental orange fruits in autumn. Karaka is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and loamy soils, and is tolerant of coastal conditions and moderate frosts. However, caution is advised as its fruits are toxic if ingested by humans and animals.

Variegated Pittosporum (Pittosporum Variegatum)

Variegated Pittosporum is a striking evergreen shrub prized for its distinctive variegated foliage, featuring creamy white or yellow margins that contrast beautifully with the dark green center. This compact and bushy plant typically reaches heights of 6-10 feet, forming a dense, rounded shape.

The variegated leaves add visual interest and brightness to garden borders, hedges, and containers, creating a vibrant focal point year-round. In spring, Variegated Pittosporum may produce small, inconspicuous flowers with a subtle fragrance. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Variegated Pittosporum prefers well-drained soil and is a relatively drought-tolerant pittosporum varieties once established.

Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum Undulatum)

Sweet Pittosporum, also known as Australian Cheesewood or Victorian Box, is a charming evergreen tree native to Australia. It earns its common name from the sweet fragrance emitted by its small, creamy-white flowers, which bloom in clusters during spring and summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. This fast-growing tree typically reaches heights of 20 to 40 feet, though it can grow taller under optimal conditions.

It features wavy-edged, lance-shaped leaves that are glossy green on top and paler underneath, adding texture and interest to the landscape. Sweet Pittosporum thrives in a variety of soil types and is tolerant of coastal areas, making it suitable for seaside gardens. It prefers to grow well in full sun to partial shade and benefits from watering regularly, particularly in dry periods.

Pittosporum Silver Sheen

Pittosporum Silver Sheen is a striking evergreen shrub prized for its shimmering silver-gray foliage and one of the cold-hardy pittosporum types. This cultivar is a selection of the New Zealand native Pittosporum tenuifolium and is valued for its ornamental appeal and versatility in landscaping. The leaves of Pittosporum Silver Sheen are small, narrow, and densely clustered along the stems, creating a lush and bushy appearance.

The silver-gray coloring of the foliage adds a touch of elegance to garden borders, hedges, and containers and contrasts beautifully with other plants. This cultivar is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. Pittosporum Silver Sheen is relatively low-maintenance and benefits from occasional pruning for its shape and size.

Pittosporum Mountain Green

Pittosporum Mountain Green, also known as Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Mountain Green,’ is a resilient evergreen shrub revered for its dense, compact growth and vibrant green foliage. This cultivar is a variation of the native New Zealand Pittosporum tenuifolium and is cherished for its ornamental appeal and adaptability in landscaping.

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The foliage of Pittosporum Mountain Green is glossy, oval-shaped, and densely clustered along its branches, creating a lush and verdant appearance year-round. Its vibrant green leaves provide a refreshing backdrop for garden beds, borders, and hedges, offering a sense of vitality to outdoor spaces.

Pittosporum Wheeler’s Dwarf

Pittosporum Wheeler’s Dwarf is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its diminutive size and attractive foliage. This dwarf cultivar is a variation of the Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) and is prized for its ornamental value and versatility in landscaping. Wheeler’s Dwarf typically grows to a height and spread of around 2 to 3 feet, forming a dense mound of glossy, dark green leaves.

The foliage emits a subtle fragrance when crushed, adding to its allure in the garden. This dwarf Pittosporum thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to different soil types, provided they are well-draining. Its compact size makes it ideal for small gardens, borders, or container plantings, where it can serve as a low-maintenance accent or ground cover.

Pittosporum Tom Thumb

Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ is a captivating dwarf evergreen shrub celebrated for its compact size and striking foliage. This cultivar, derived from Pittosporum tenuifolium, is prized for its ornamental value and versatility in landscaping. Tom Thumb typically forms a dense, rounded mound of small, oval-shaped leaves that emerge a vibrant purple-red color before maturing to a deep burgundy. The foliage provides year-round interest, creating a dramatic contrast against its surroundings.

Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ is adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers well-draining conditions. Its diminutive size makes it excellent for small gardens, borders, or container plantings, where it can serve as a low-maintenance accent or ground cover.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Pittosporum plants offer a diverse array of options for enhancing landscapes with their beauty and versatility. From the fragrant blooms of Japanese Pittosporum to the compact elegance of Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb,’ each variety brings unique characteristics to gardens worldwide. Whether used as focal points, hedges, or accents, these top 10 fragrant pittosporum types promise enduring beauty and charm for every gardening enthusiast.

Types of Pittosporum Plants: 10 Best Pittosporum Varieties