Hawaiian cheesewood Plant Care

Hawaiian cheesewood (Pittosporum rapense) belongs to the Pittosporaceae family within the Pittosporum genus. Hawaiian cheesewood is native to the island of Rapa Iti in the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia. Hawaiian cheesewood is also known as Hawaiian pittosporum.

Hawaiian cheesewood displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 8 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Hawaiian cheesewood produces small, fragrant, creamy white blooms in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hawaiian cheesewood every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hawaiian cheesewood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Pittosporum rapense tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Hawaiian cheesewood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hawaiian cheesewood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hawaiian cheesewood every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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.

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

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

Hawaiian cheesewood is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

Hawaiian cheesewood can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 8 ft (2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Hawaiian cheesewood 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 tree in one year.

Hawaiian cheesewood 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.

Hawaiian cheesewood can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pittosporum cornifolium plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Hawaiian cheesewood 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.

Hawaiian cheesewood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hawaiian cheesewood is native to the island of Rapa Iti in the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia. In cooler regions, grow Hawaiian cheesewood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.