Evergreen New Zealand native tree with small wavy-edged pale green leaves on contrasting black twigs, and small chocolate-scented dark flowers. The standard New Zealand garden hedging plant and a major cut-foliage export crop.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 8–10 | −12.2 °C to 4.4 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H4 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–6 | −5 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Standard New Zealand hedge plant — fast growing, fine textured, clips well, tolerates coastal and urban conditions
- Distinct from the Australian sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum, already in the database) — kohuhu has smaller wavy-margined leaves on darker stems and is far better behaved (P. undulatum is INVASIVE in many regions)
- Coloured-leaved cultivars (‘Silver Queen’, ‘Tom Thumb’, ‘Marjorie Channon’) are the dominant cut-foliage export crop from northern New Zealand to European florists
- Wind tolerant, salt tolerant in maritime climates — succeeds in mild coastal British, Irish, and Pacific NW gardens
Pet caution: Kohuhu (Black matipo) is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Kohuhu (Black matipo) against your zones