Prune pittosporum right after the flowers fade. Next year's flowers sit on wood that grew this season.
Prune right after the flowers fade
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Right after the cream flower clusters brown | Do not cut in late fall or winter |
| How much | Thin or shorten the stems that bloomed; leave leafy wood | Do not strip every green stem in one day |
| Cut | Just above a leaf joint so you do not chop the whorls | Do not shear large-leaf Japanese pittosporum into brown stubs |
| Late | If you miss the window and you want flowers, wait until after the next flush | Do not take a makeup cut in late fall |
Cut the stems that bloomed once the clusters brown. A midsummer or fall shear removes next year's bloom. [1] Tobira and Nanum share that same after-bloom window. Flowers sit on last season's wood, so an after-bloom cut is the window that keeps the orange-blossom show. [2] Sun and drain stay on How to Grow Pittosporum.
When should I prune pittosporum?
Right after the flowers fade. If you miss that window and you want flowers, wait until after the next flush. Do not shear in late fall.
How to prune Pittosporum
Wait until the clusters brown, then shorten the wood that flowered. Leave some green.
- Wait until the cream flower clusters have browned. [3]
- Thin or shorten the stems that bloomed. Leave leafy wood. [4]
- On a large-leaf Japanese pittosporum, cut stem by stem just above a leaf joint so you do not chop the whorls into brown stubs.
- Do not shear in late fall. If you missed the window and you want flowers, leave the plant until after the next flush.
Thin an overgrown shrub, and cut stem by stem on large-leaf kinds
An overgrown plant can be thinned over a season if some green remains. Shear only if you started that habit when the plant was young — a late hard shear on a large-leaf hedge chops the whorls and removes the bloom. Spread the work, and leave leafy wood so it can resprout. If you would have to cut it hard every year, pick a smaller kind on Types of Pittosporum.
Can I shear it like a boxwood hedge?
A light after-bloom clip is fine on a compact mound. On large-leaf Japanese pittosporum, cut stem by stem so you do not chop the whorls. A late-fall shear removes next year's flowers.
If the clusters have already browned, cut this week — waiting until fall removes next year's flowers.
FAQ
Does it need a yearly cut?
No. A tidy plant can go a year with only dead wood removed. Shape after bloom when it gets open or lanky.
What if I already sheared it in fall?
Leave it. Soft tips from a late cut burn in an early freeze, and you have already removed next spring's bloom. Wait until after the next flower show.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Clemson HGIC -
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/pittosporum/ - [2] University of Florida IFAS -
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP483 - [3] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pittosporum-tobira/ - [4] Gardener's Path -
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/ornamentals/grow-pittosporum/
This note is part of Pittosporum Guides.
More pruning timing notes by plant live in Pruning Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors