How to Care for Pittosporum

Pittosporum hedges are a favourite in Australian gardens for their glossy foliage, quick growth, and easy maintenance. Caring for pittosporum involves getting the basics right — sunlight, soil, watering, pruning, and feeding. When these essentials are balanced, pittosporum thrive as dense, evergreen screens that last for decades. This guide outlines everything you need to know about caring for pittosporum in Australia.

Watering, Sunlight & Soil

Pittosporum are hardy plants, but their care is simplest when you meet their basic environmental needs:

Sunlight: Best in full sun, but most varieties also perform well in partial shade. More sun usually means denser foliage.
Soil: Free-draining soil is critical. Pittosporum dislike heavy, waterlogged ground. Slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal.
Watering: Once established, pittosporum are drought-tolerant. Young hedges should be watered deeply every 7–10 days in warm months to help roots spread. Avoid frequent, shallow watering.

Adding mulch around the base helps stabilise soil temperature, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds. Just keep mulch a few centimetres away from the stem to prevent rot.

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Pruning & General Maintenance

Pruning is one of the most important parts of pittosporum care. Regular trimming keeps hedges dense and prevents gaps at the base. Without it, plants can grow tall and leggy.

Young hedges: Light tip-prune several times a year to encourage branching.
Established hedges: Prune once in late winter or early spring, with an optional light trim in mid-summer.
Overgrown plants: Pittosporum tolerate hard pruning back by up to one-third of their size. They usually reshoot strongly.

When shaping, keep the hedge slightly wider at the base than at the top. This allows light to reach lower branches and avoids bare patches near the ground. Always prune with clean, sharp tools to reduce disease risk.

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Fertiliser & Long-Term Health

Pittosporum care is not complete without a feeding routine. Fertilising keeps foliage green, promotes steady growth, and strengthens the hedge against pests and diseases. In Australia, feed pittosporum twice yearly: once in early spring and again in mid-summer.

New plants: Fertilise lightly every 6–8 weeks in the first year for strong establishment.
Mature hedges: Two feeds per year are usually enough to maintain health.
After pruning: Always apply fertiliser and water well to support regrowth.

For best results, use CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser NPK 20-20-20 at 4 ml per litre of water. This balanced formula supports lush foliage, root strength, and resilience, keeping pittosporum hedges looking fresh and vibrant all year round.

Quick FAQs

How often should I water pittosporum? Deeply every 7–10 days for young plants, then only in extended dry spells once established.
Do pittosporum need pruning? Yes — pruning is essential for density and should be done at least once a year.
What’s the best fertiliser? A balanced NPK such as CompleteGrow’s 20-20-20 liquid is ideal for both young and established hedges.
Are pittosporum low-maintenance? Yes, once established they are hardy and drought-tolerant, needing only seasonal pruning and feeding.