Variegated Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata'
An evergreen shrub featuring woody stems and leathery, lance-shaped leaves with distinct creamy-white or yellow margins and dark green centers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of direct or bright indirect light daily.
- Water
- Water thoroughly when the top soil dries out. Allow excess water to drain completely. Drought tolerant once established, but sensitive to waterlogged soil.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub with an upright, rounded growth habit, typically maturing to heights of 6 to 10 feet with a similar spread.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect light or full sun to partial shade. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Use well-draining potting mix and feed during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of direct or bright indirect light daily.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top soil dries out. Allow excess water to drain completely. Drought tolerant once established, but sensitive to waterlogged soil.
Soil
Well-draining loamy, sandy, or clay soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 9 to 11
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub with an upright, rounded growth habit, typically maturing to heights of 6 to 10 feet with a similar spread.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, highly fragrant, bell-shaped creamy-white flowers that darken to yellow with age.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, treated with rooting hormone.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Common pests include aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs, which can be managed with insecticidal soap or horticultural oils.
Similar species
Euonymus fortunei 'Variegata', which can be distinguished by its opposite leaf arrangement and climbing or trailing growth habit compared to the alternate leaves and upright woody shrub form of Pittosporum.