Overview
Pittosporum illicioides is a bushy shrub in the genus Pittosporum, part of the Pittosporaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Pittosporum illicioides grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, hedging and screens and wall side borders.
About
Pittosporum illicioides is a bushy evergreen shrub within the Pittosporum genus, known for its simple, leathery foliage. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist soils of various types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Suitable for sheltered positions, it is hardy to UK zone H4 and is often used in city and courtyard gardens, coastal settings, cottage and informal gardens, as well as for hedging, screening, and wall-side borders. This cultivar is best propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer and offers winter interest.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Pittosporum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Pittosporum illicioides size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Hedging and screens, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Pittosporum illicioides
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, Aphids, Cushion scale, Pittosporum sucker
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Leaf spot, Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Pittosporum illicioides?
Pittosporum illicioides prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Pittosporum illicioides need?
Pittosporum illicioides is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Pittosporum illicioides hardy in the UK?
Pittosporum illicioides has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Pittosporum illicioides?
Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
More in the Pittosporum genus
- PittosporumPeter's sperm
- Pittosporum bicolorTasmanian whitewood
- Pittosporum crassifolium 'Napier' (f)
- Pittosporum crassifolium 'Variegatum' (v)
- Pittosporum divaricatum
- Pittosporum ellipticum
- Pittosporum heterophyllum 'La Blanca' (v)
- Pittosporum patulum
