Can You Grow Pittosporum in a Pot?

Yes — pittosporum can be grown successfully in pots, making them a flexible choice for courtyards, balconies, or as feature plants near entrances. While these hardy shrubs are usually planted as hedges in the ground, many compact varieties also adapt well to container growing. Success comes down to choosing the right pot, soil, and ongoing care routine.

Choosing the Right Pot & Soil

Pittosporum can develop large root systems, so the container must be big enough to support long-term growth. Start with a pot at least 40–50 cm wide and deep. For larger varieties such as Silver Sheen, go even bigger — half wine barrel size is ideal for stability.

Drainage: Ensure the pot has several large holes, as pittosporum dislike waterlogged conditions.
Soil: Use a high-quality, free-draining potting mix designed for trees and shrubs. Avoid cheap mixes that compact quickly.
Position: Place pots in full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages denser foliage.

Raising pots slightly off the ground with pot feet helps water drain freely and reduces root rot risk.

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Ongoing Care & Maintenance

Container-grown pittosporum need more attention than in-ground hedges, as roots are confined and soil dries out faster. With the right care, however, they stay healthy and make excellent low-maintenance feature plants.

Watering: Water deeply 2–3 times per week in summer, less in winter. Do not let the potting mix completely dry out.
Pruning: Tip-prune every few months to maintain compact growth. Pots are best suited to smaller or dwarf pittosporum varieties.
Repotting: Refresh potting mix and repot into a larger container every 2–3 years to prevent root binding.

With consistent care, pittosporum in pots stay neat, manageable, and decorative for many years.

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Fertilising Pittosporum in Pots

Potted pittosporum rely entirely on you for nutrients, so fertilising is even more important than for in-ground hedges. Because potting mix nutrients wash out quickly with watering, use a liquid fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

Spring to summer: Feed monthly to support active growth and foliage density.
Autumn: Apply a lighter feed to prepare plants for cooler conditions.
Winter: Fertilising is optional unless plants look weak.

For reliable results, apply CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser NPK 20-20-20 at 4 ml per litre of water. This balanced formula provides the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needed to keep container-grown pittosporum green, healthy, and compact.

Quick FAQs

Can pittosporum grow in pots long-term? Yes, especially dwarf or compact varieties, provided the pot is large enough and repotting is done every few years.
What size pot is best? Minimum 40–50 cm wide, or larger for tall-growing varieties.
How often should I water? 2–3 times per week in summer, adjusting for weather conditions.
What fertiliser should I use? A balanced NPK liquid fertiliser such as CompleteGrow’s 20-20-20, applied monthly.