- **Type**: Evergreen shrub or small tree

- **Height**: 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 meters), can reach 15 feet with age if unpruned

- **Width**: 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, rounded, dense, and bushy

- **Foliage**:

- Small, oval leaves, 1 to 2.5 inches long (2.5 to 6 cm)

- Variegated: green with creamy white, grayish-white, or silvery margins

- Glossy texture, slightly wavy edges

- Evergreen, offering year-round color

- **Flowers**:

- Small, bell-shaped, dark purple to maroon blooms

- About 0.25 to 0.5 inches (6 to 13 mm) across

- Appear in late spring to early summer (May to June)

- Sweet, honey-like fragrance, especially noticeable in the evening

- **Fruit**:

- Small, woody capsules, 0.5 inches (13 mm) long

- Grayish-brown, splitting to reveal sticky black seeds

- Appear in fall, not particularly ornamental

- **Light**: Full sun to partial shade (best variegation in bright light)

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, fertile soil; adapts to sandy or loamy types

- Neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 7.5)

- **Watering**: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, but prefers consistent moisture

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 8 to 11 (down to 10°F or -12°C; needs protection below this)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts bees (flowers); moderately deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to shape or control size

- Fertilize lightly with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- May see aphids, scale, or spider mites

- Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soil; leaf spot possible in humid conditions

- **Uses**: Hedge, screen, border, specimen plant, or container accent

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate (12 to 18 inches per year)

The Variegated Pittosporum’s striking foliage and subtle blooms make it a favorite for adding texture and contrast to gardens.