Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

pittosporum tenu

If you’re searching for “pittosporum tenu,” you’re likely interested in one of New Zealand’s most versatile and reliable native plants for hedges, screens, and landscaping. Pittosporum tenu—more accurately referred to as [Pittosporum tenuifolium](/shop/product/trees/pittosporum-tenuifolium)—is treasured for its delicate, wavy foliage, upright form, and tolerance of a range of garden conditions. Favoured by both home gardeners and landscape designers, this fast-growing evergreen is an easy choice for those looking to add structure, texture, and year-round greenery to the garden. On this page, we’ll explore the features and uses of pittosporum tenu, along with some popular related varieties that may suit your planting scheme.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

5 from 5 customers

Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green leathery leaves and produces small, fragrant purple flowers in spring, followed by sticky seed capsules. Karo grows 3–5 metres tall and is ideal for hedging, shelterbelts, or coastal planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
pittosporum-tenuifolium-variegata-4

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen shrub renowned for its beautifully variegated foliage and elegant growth habit. The grey green leaves edged with creamy white provide year round colour and brightness, making this variety a standout feature in gardens and landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green...

From$15.04
Pittosporum ralphii olive-green foliage.
Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo)

Pittosporum ralphii is a hardy, evergreen native shrub or small tree ideal for hedging, screening, and native planting projects across New Zealand...

From$26.15
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' small, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist'

Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' is a NZ native shrub with small, olive-green leaves held densely on narrow, black stems. This evergreen typically grows to...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' bushy plants in pots.
Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen'

Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub admired for its delicate, silvery-green foliage and airy appearance. Ideal for hedging...

From$206.50
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

From$22.01
Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.
Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

From$15.04
Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' variegated foliage.
Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' (Kohuhu)

Pittosporum ‘Marjorie Channon’ is a popular evergreen shrub admired for its striking variegated foliage. Its green leaves are edged with creamy...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Limelight' variegated foliage.
Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu)

Pittosporum 'Limelight' is a NZ native shrub that features dark green leaves with a lime green centre, held densely on upright stems. This evergreen...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$22.01
pittosporum-jade-3
Pittosporum 'Jade'

Pittosporum 'Jade' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, attractive green foliage, and versatility in the landscape. This...

From$22.01
pittosporum-irish-luck-
Pittosporum 'Irish Luck'

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly' shrub with lush green foliage growing in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly'

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its naturally rounded form and dense foliage. This hardy New Zealand native...

From$26.15
A Pittosporum turneri tree with small, green leaves and a narrow growth habit.
Pittosporum turneri

Pittosporum turneri is a rare, NZ native tree that grows to about 8 m tall and 1.5 m wide. It has a columnar growth habit with branches tending to be...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum dallii rounded shrub.
Pittosporum dallii

Pittosporum dallii is a rare and attractive New Zealand native tree admired for its lush silver green foliage and elegant growth habit. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum tobira green foliage and elegant white flowers.
Pittosporum tobira (Australian Laurel)

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum or mock orange, is a versatile, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum rigidum shrub.
Pittosporum rigidum

Pittosporum rigidum is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its dense branching, attractive foliage, and reliable growth. This Australian...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum kirkii shrub with green foliage.
Pittosporum kirkii

Pittosporum kirkii is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub valued for its compact growth habit, attractive grey green foliage, and natural ability...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-taupo-
Pittosporum 'Taupo'

Pittosporum 'Taupo' is a popular New Zealand native shrub grown for its dense branching, attractive silver green foliage, and versatility in the...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum crassicaule plant.
Pittosporum crassicaule

Pittosporum crassicaule is a hardy New Zealand native evergreen shrub valued for its compact growth habit, distinctive grey green foliage, and...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-sumo-
Pittosporum 'Sumo'

Pittosporum 'Sumo' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, rich green foliage, and naturally rounded form. This hardy variety...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' plants as topiary balls in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Little Anita' is a dwarf variety of Pittosporum with small, light green leaves as it grows to about 60 cm tall and 75 cm wide. This...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-tasman-ruffles-2
Pittosporum 'Tasman Ruffles'

Pittosporum 'Tasman Ruffles' is a distinctive evergreen shrub valued for its attractive ruffled foliage, dense growth habit, and year round visual...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum umbellatum lush green foliage with small, pink flowers.
Pittosporum umbellatum

Pittosporum umbellatum is a bushy tree that features dark green, glossy leaves that are oval and leathery. Showy clusters of fragrant, pink flowers...

OUT OF STOCK
A Pittosporum 'Waihao' plant with fresh-green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Waihao'

Pittosporum 'Waihao' features dark green leaves held on solid stems. This evergreen, NZ native shrub typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum colensoi green foliage and black flowers.
Pittosporum colensoi

Pittosporum colensoi is a NZ native shrub that features stems that host small and glossy, green leaves. These are held densely and complemented with...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-mountain-jade-
Pittosporum 'Mountain Jade'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Jade' is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, rich green foliage, and reliable year round...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-stumpy-
Pittosporum 'Stumpy'

Pittosporum 'Stumpy' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, attractive foliage, and naturally rounded form. This hardy dwarf...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-tenuifolium-elfin-1
Pittosporum 'Elfin'

Pittosporum 'Elfin' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its dense growth habit, small glossy foliage, and naturally rounded form. This dwarf...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Pittosporum, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs, and Evergreen Trees.

Search pittosporum tenu

What is Pittosporum tenu?

Pittosporum tenu is a common shorthand for Pittosporum tenuifolium, one of New Zealand’s iconic native trees. Characterised by its slender, dark stems and small, silvery-green or deep green leaves, pittosporum tenu can grow up to 10 metres high in its natural form, but is easily clipped and maintained at a much lower height for hedging purposes. In spring, the plant bursts into clusters of tiny, chocolate-scented black-purple flowers, which add a subtle seasonal highlight and attract native pollinators.

Key Features and Benefits

Pittosporum tenu makes an outstanding backdrop or boundary. It thrives in a range of soils, copes well with wind and drought once established, and responds beautifully to clipping. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for urban gardens, rural shelter belts, and coastal exposures across New Zealand. Thanks to its rapid growth rate, you can create a dense, attractive screen in just a few years.

Popular Pittosporum Varieties

While the classic pittosporum tenu shines in many gardens, several distinctive cultivars offer unique features:

Planting and Caring for Pittosporum tenu

Plant pittosporum tenu in well-drained soil with good sun exposure for fastest growth, though it also tolerates shade and urban conditions well. When establishing a hedge, space plants around 80cm apart for rapid coverage. Water regularly during dry spells in the first year, but once settled, pittosporum tenu is remarkably hardy and low-maintenance. Occasional trimming encourages dense growth and keeps your hedge neat and shapely.

Why Choose Pittosporum tenu?

Choosing pittosporum tenu for your New Zealand garden means selecting a native that is both beautiful and resilient. Whether you prefer the classic type or wish to explore the unique charm of selections like Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegata or Pittosporum Tom Thumb (Dwarf Pittosporum), this group offers solutions for privacy, shelter, and year-round interest. Embrace the ease and style of this trusted favourite and transform your landscape with a touch of native elegance.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily), but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe', Opuntia subulata, and Magnolia denudata?
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews