Kōhūhū Pittosporum tenuifolium
Kōhūhū (Pittosporum tenuifolium) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Pittosporaceae family, native to New Zealand (endemic). It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Kōhūhū at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pittosporaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | New Zealand (endemic) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Kōhūhū toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Kōhūhū
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Kōhūhū
- How far apart should I plant Kōhūhū?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Kōhūhū need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kōhūhū need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kōhūhū?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Kōhūhū flower?
- From about October for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Kōhūhū poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Kōhūhū?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Kōhūhū. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: flora, NZPCN
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Wavy small leaves on black stems; tiny dark purple flowers scent the evening air in spring. Many coloured-leaf hedging cultivars.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tarata (lemonwood) Pittosporum eugenioides
- Native frangipani Hymenosporum flavum
- Japanese mock orange (pittosporum) Pittosporum tobira
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius