Coprosma crassifolia

Thick-leaved Coprosma

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Taxonomy

Common Names

Thick-leaved CoprosmaKaramu

Context

nativeRegion

New Zealand (coastal and lowland forests of the North and South Islands)

usdaZones

9–11

companionPlants

Griselinia littoralis, Metrosideros excelsa, Leptospermum scoparium

culturalUses

Used for native revegetation, landscaping, and traditional Maori uses including medicinal applications.

Care

LightPrefers full sun to partial shade.

WateringDrought tolerant once established; water regularly during prolonged dry periods.

SoilWell-drained, sandy to loamy soils.

FertilizerNot heavy feeders; an occasional application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient.

HumidityAdaptable, but prefers moderate humidity.

TemperatureThrives in mild, frost-free climates; tolerates occasional light frost.

HabitEvergreen shrub with an upright, bushy form.

Mature SizeTypically 1–3 meters tall.

Growth RateModerate growth rate.

BloomingSmall, inconspicuous flowers in spring.

DormancyNo true dormancy; evergreen year-round.

MethodsSeed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

DifficultyModerate—seed may be slow to germinate, cuttings root in warm conditions.

Best SeasonLate spring to summer.

PruningMinimal; prune lightly to maintain shape or remove dead wood.

RepottingNot typically grown in pots, but young container plants benefit from repotting every 2–3 years.

Pests & DiseasesGenerally pest and disease resistant, but may rarely be affected by scale or sooty mold.

ToxicityNot known to be toxic to humans or pets.

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