Pittosporum, any of various evergreen shrubs or trees, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, that make up the genus Pittosporum (family Pittosporaceae), commonly known as Australian laurel. They are planted especially as ornamentals in warm regions.
Provide the pittosporum plant 1 inch of water every five to seven days so it establishes a deep and extensive root system. Although moderately drought tolerant, pittosporums begin to show signs of wear if the soil is left too dry. Mulching the soil around the plant helps preserve moisture and keeps roots cool. Use organic mulches such as dried leaves, grass clippings or wood bark.
Feed the plant a well-balanced, general-purpose fertilizer in spring, just before new growth occurs. Depending on personal preference, use a foliar spray or spread fertilizer granules on the soil above the drip line and irrigate thoroughly. Follow label directions for dosage rates to prevent overfeeding the plant.
Prune the pittosporum in winter to maintain shape, size and appearance. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to cut wayward, damaged, dying or diseased branches from the shrub. Collect plant clippings and discard.
For this, take several cuttings of about 8 – 15 cm and plant them in a pot filled with starting mix. You can also dip them in rooting hormone before planting.
