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Common Boxwood

4.0 out of 5 (2 experiences)

Fast grower

Browns easily

About Common Boxwood

‘Vardar Valley’ boxwood is a woody, broadleaf evergreen, perennial shrub or tree in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family. It is one of the most cold hardy cultivars of boxwood and has distinctive blue-green leaves. This dense, mounding shrub can grow 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 6 feet in width. It only puts on an average of 2 inches a year.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Buxus sempervirens

Genus

Buxus

Family

Buxaceae

Order

Buxales

Also known as

Common box, European box, Boxwood, english box and Buxus Ball

How to care for Common Boxwood

💦 Water

How often to water your Common Boxwood

Common Boxwood 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?

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Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Common Boxwood in your home

Common Boxwood love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Common Boxwood does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Common Boxwood

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Common Boxwood: 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 Common Boxwood after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #CommonBoxwood

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

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

How to Grow Common Boxwood →

Benefits of Growing Common Boxwood →

Common Common Boxwood Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Common Boxwood →

💦 Water Needs

Common Boxwood 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.

Common Boxwood Water Frequency →

Common Boxwood Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Common Boxwood 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 🏡.

Common Boxwood Light Requirements →

Common Boxwood Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Common Boxwood is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Common Boxwood is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

Common Boxwood does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Common Boxwood →

Best Pots for Common Boxwood →

When and How to Successfully Repot Common Boxwood →

What Are Healthy Common Boxwood Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Common Boxwood 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 Common Boxwood →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Common Boxwood will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Common Boxwood Lifecycle →

Common Boxwood Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Common Boxwood →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Common Boxwood can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Common Boxwood Temperature Tolerance →

Common Boxwood Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Common Boxwood →

When to Plant Common Boxwood →

How to Plant Common Boxwood →

Where to Plant Common Boxwood →

Winter Care for Common Boxwood →

Best Companion Plants for Common Boxwood →

Is Common Boxwood a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Common Boxwood can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Common Boxwood →

🍂 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 Common Boxwood, 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.