Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star' – evergreen shrub with golden-variegated foliage

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star' is an evergreen ornamental shrub, originating as a horticultural selection of Pittosporum tenuifolium, a species native to New Zealand. It stands out through its compact, dense and well-branched growth, and especially through its bright foliage, which combines several shades of green with yellow-green to golden central areas.

It is suitable for terraces, balconies, sheltered gardens, borders, low hedges or container cultivation. It tolerates pruning very well and can be maintained in a compact shape.

🌿 Botanical characteristics

• Full name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star'

• Family: Pittosporaceae

• Type: evergreen ornamental shrub

• Species origin: New Zealand

• Compact, dense and branched growth

• Small, glossy, slightly wavy leaves

• Variegated green and yellow-green/golden foliage

• The center of young leaves can be particularly bright

• Brownish-red to dark-colored shoots

• Mature size: approximately 1.5–2 m, depending on climate, soil and growing conditions

• Tolerates pruning and shaping very well

• May produce small, dark-colored, subtly fragrant flowers in spring

🌞 Growing conditions and care

• Light: full sun or bright partial shade. A well-lit position is recommended for intensely colored foliage.

• Soil: fertile, loose and very well drained. It adapts to several soil types as long as water does not stagnate around the roots.

• Watering: regular during the first season after planting and for specimens grown in pots. Well-established plants tolerate moderate periods of drought.

• Pruning: tolerates pruning very well. The shoots can be shortened to maintain a compact shape or to form a hedge.

• Container cultivation: very suitable. The container must have effective drainage, and plants grown this way require more regular watering.

• Exposure: prefers locations sheltered from cold winds, especially in regions with severe winters.

• Cold hardiness: -7 to -10°C, depending on acclimatization, drainage and exposure. 

🌱 Recommended substrate

For container cultivation, we recommend a high-quality, fertile, airy and well-drained substrate. It is important for the container to have effective drainage holes, as Pittosporum does not tolerate water stagnation around its roots.

✨ What makes it special

• evergreen foliage that remains decorative throughout the year;

• bright green-yellow/golden variegation;

• distinctive central pattern on the leaves;

• compact and very full growth;

• excellent tolerance of pruning and shaping;

• suitable for both pots and gardens in favorable climates;

• can be used as a solitary plant, in groups or for low hedges;

• young foliage may have a different coloration from mature foliage, enhancing the shrub's multicolored appearance.

📌 Note

The color and intensity of the variegation naturally vary depending on leaf age, season, light and growing conditions. Young leaves may have a much brighter, yellow-green center, while some mature leaves may become predominantly green. These differences are normal for this cultivar.

As an evergreen shrub, the plant may periodically develop yellowing older leaves, small spots, dry edges, signs of handling or other aesthetic imperfections, especially after transport or changes in environmental conditions. These normally do not affect the plant's viability.

Height including pot: approx. 35 cm