How to Grow and Care for Kōhūhū

Kōhūhū, also known as Tawhiwhi, Black matipo, New Zealand kohuhu, Thin leaved pittosporum, Pittosporum

Kōhūhū typically thrives with basic care. It requires a well-draining soil mix and consistent moisture, with careful avoidance of waterlogging, which could lead to root rot. Regular pruning is needed to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Given these points, kōhūhū is considered easy to care for, making it suitable for a wide range of gardeners.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Kōhūhū

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	7-10

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Varieties of Kōhūhū

Kōhūhū 'Gold Star'

Kōhūhū 'Gold Star' is a Kohuhu cultivar selected to have bright green leaves with creamy-white markings that are most prominent at the leaf center, while the midribs are entirely white. The cultivar is further distinguished by its slightly curved leaf edges and its rounded, compact growth form.

Kōhūhū 'Victoria'

Kōhūhū 'Victoria' is a Kohuhu cultivar, bred to have dark green, glossy leaves that are variegated with creamy-white markings. These markings are tinged with pink during the winter and spring, making the plant even more attractive and providing winter garden excitement when most plants are dormant.

Pittosporum 'Garnettii'

This cultivar is a dwarf form of the original Kohuhu plant. The pittosporum 'Garnettii' is shorter and more compact in size, with slender, multi-colored leaves. This cultivar is popular as a visual backdrop or hedge plant. It is one of the five varieties of the Kohuhu plant that has won the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Kōhūhū 'Warnham Gold'

Kōhūhū 'Warnham Gold' is a hardy evergreen shrub notable for its luminous golden-green leaves that shimmer in the sunlight, providing a striking contrast against darker foliage. Its wavy-edged leaves and delicate, honey-scented purple flowers, which emerge in late spring, give kōhūhū 'Warnham Gold' a distinctive appearance. Thriving in well-drained soil, kōhūhū 'Warnham Gold' contributes year-round interest to temperate gardens, adapting to both sun and partial shade.

Kōhūhū 'Abbotsbury Gold'

Kōhūhū 'Abbotsbury Gold' is named for its golden yellow leaves and for the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England. These golden leaves are a marked contrast to the plain green leaves of its New Zealand native parent. Although its flowers are small, they reward gardeners with their delightful fragrance.

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More General Info About Kōhūhū

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Kōhūhū is a vigorous evergreen, forming an upright shrub or a small tree reaching 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) in height. It features glossy, medium green, oval leaves with a slightly wavy edge, supported by strikingly dark, almost black new stems. The plant is adorned with dark, sweet-scented purple flowers that gather in compact clusters during the spring. Following the blooming period, it bears small, orange fruits. This species thrives in an array of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and requires occasional watering. It is tolerant of seaside conditions and can withstand temperatures down to 15-20 °F (-9 - -6 °C).