Garden Care Guide

Japanese Pittosporum Care

Pittosporum tobira

A very popular evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves and dense white flowers scented like orange blossom that open in spring. It is extremely tolerant of drought, heat and salt. Because it responds very well to pruning, it is an excellent choice for hedges, screening and low-maintenance landscapes.

Half-hardy · -7 °C / 19 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
  • Pruning: A hard rejuvenation pruning can be done for very old hedges that have lost their form.
  • Plant protection: Dormant oil (mineral oil) can be applied against overwintering mealybugs and scale insects.
  • General care: Dormancy period.
  • Pests & diseases: Check among the dense leaves for mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and scale insects (Coccoidea).
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -7 °C.
February
  • Pruning: Not needed. Wait until after flowering for the main pruning.
  • Plant protection: Repeat the dormant oil application if needed.
  • General care: Rest period continues.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -7 °C.
March
  • Watering: If necessary (if there is no rain), 20-30 L/m².
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: New shoots begin to emerge and flower buds form.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune if you want it to flower.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. After flowering is over, prune the plant (especially hedges) into the shape you want.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Pruning: Lightly trim to maintain the hedge form.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Water stress during the hottest period can weaken the plant and make it susceptible to pests.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Growth slows.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: The last light corrective pruning of the season can be done at the beginning of the month.
  • Plant protection: Check for mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and scale insects (Coccoidea). If necessary, apply summer oil or a systemic insecticide.
  • General care: Growth slows and the plant prepares for winter.
  • Pests & diseases: Stickiness and black sooty mold (fumagine) on the leaves indicate the presence of these pests.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
November
  • Pruning: Do not prune.
  • General care: Enters dormancy.
December
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -7 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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