Bonin Islands Myoporum Plant Care

Myoporum boninense Koidz.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Myoporum boninense is a plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. It is a shrub with thick, fleshy, glossy leaves, white flowers in small groups and shiny lilac to pale purple fruits.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Plant Bonin Islands Myoporum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Bonin Islands Myoporum (Myoporum boninense) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Myoporum genus.

Bonin Islands Myoporum displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Bonin Islands Myoporum produces small white or pink star-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Water a young or newly planted Bonin Islands Myoporum every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Bonin Islands Myoporum Need?

Bonin Islands Myoporum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bonin Islands Myoporum Prefer?

Myoporum boninense tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Bonin Islands Myoporum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bonin Islands Myoporum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Feed Bonin Islands Myoporum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bonin Islands Myoporum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Bonin Islands Myoporum can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Prune Bonin Islands Myoporum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Bonin Islands Myoporum in Winter?

Bonin Islands Myoporum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Bonin Islands Myoporum can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mallee boobialla plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Bonin Islands Myoporum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Bonin Islands Myoporum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bonin Islands Myoporum?

Bonin Islands Myoporum is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bonin Islands Myoporum Need?

Bonin Islands Myoporum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Bonin Islands Myoporum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Bonin Islands Myoporum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Myoporum genus — compare its care with other Myoporum species on PlantoScan.

Myoporum is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.

Bonin Islands Myoporum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Myoporum Species

Other Myoporum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Myoporum boninense Koidz., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 32: 53 (1918)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bonin Islands Myoporum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Bonin Islands Myoporum Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species