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Box Elder

Also known as

California Boxelder Maple, California Boxelder Maple, Arizona boxelder, Boxelder maple, Box elder, Ash-leaved maple, Maple ash, Manitoba maple, Elf maple and Ashleaf maple

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Acer negundo

Genus

Acer

Family

Sapindaceae

Order

Sapindales

How to care for Box Elder

💦 Water

How often to water your Box Elder

Box Elder needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for California Boxelder Maple in your home

Box Elder love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Box Elder does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Box Elder in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Box Elder

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Box Elder: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Box Elder after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #CaliforniaBoxelderMaple

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Box Elder is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing California Boxelder Maple →

Common California Boxelder Maple Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Box Elder prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

California Boxelder Maple Water Frequency →

California Boxelder Maple Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Box Elder requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

California Boxelder Maple Light Requirements →

California Boxelder Maple Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Box Elder is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Box Elder is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for California Boxelder Maple →

When and How to Successfully Repot California Boxelder Maple →

What Are Healthy California Boxelder Maple Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Box Elder grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize California Boxelder Maple →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Box Elder grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

California Boxelder Maple Lifecycle →

California Boxelder Maple Size Guide →

How and When to Prune California Boxelder Maple →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Box Elder can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-9a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

California Boxelder Maple Temperature Tolerance →

California Boxelder Maple Hardiness Zones →

Is California Boxelder Maple a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Box Elder, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.