Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

How much light does a Boxwood need?

Sun exposure for this shrub runs from full sun to part shade, and full sun is the preferred setting. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. A partially shaded or sunny spot suits boxwood best, according to University of Florida IFAS Extension. Part shade is the lower-light option on that list.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Boxwood

Watering needs for this shrub are rated medium. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises watering established boxwood thoroughly each week when rainfall is under an inch. The recorded range has medium at both its low and high end. The soil should have good drainage, and it can also be occasionally wet.

• Water: Medium³

Best soil for a Boxwood

Soil for this shrub should have good drainage. It also appears in the record with occasionally wet ground, according to NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. The listed soil pH is neutral, from 6.0 to 8.0. Drainage and pH are the two soil conditions recorded for common box. Any pH from 6 up to 8 falls inside that band. Well drained and occasionally wet are both recorded drainage conditions.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally wet^1,1,3
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

Hardiness zones for common box run from 5a to 8b, according to NC State Extension. Zone 5a is the cold end of that range and zone 8b is the warm end. Use the zone range as your guide to whether the plant suits your climate. It is an evergreen shrub.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

Pruning a Boxwood

Pruning for this shrub is light shaping. Clemson Cooperative Extension says the best time to shear the plants is in early June. The shrub can reach 10 to 12 ft (3.05–3.66 m) tall and spread 6 to 8 ft (1.83–2.44 m). Its growth rate is slow.

• Pruning: Light shaping (Jun)³

How to plant a Boxwood

Zones 5a to 8b are the range where NC State Extension lists this shrub. Check that your hardiness zone falls inside that range before you plant. Plan space for a mature spread of 6 to 8 ft (1.83–2.44 m). Choose a site with full sun or part shade and good drainage. Plan overhead room for a mature height of 10 to 12 ft (3.05–3.66 m).

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

Winter care

Winter planning starts with your hardiness zone, and common box is listed for zones 5a to 8b. NC State Extension describes it as an evergreen shrub or small tree. Zone 5a is the coldest zone in the listed range. The listing names eight zones from 5a through 8b: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

How to propagate a Boxwood

Stem cuttings and layering are the propagation methods recorded for this plant. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox lists stem cutting as a method. Layering is also recorded as a method for common box. Only two methods are recorded, stem cuttings and layering. Use either method to make new plants from an existing shrub.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings and layering¹

Common problems

Boxwood leafminer, boxwood mite, boxwood psyllid, boxwood moth and nematodes are the pests recorded for this shrub. NC State Extension names leafminer, boxwood mite and boxwood psyllid as insect pests. The plant is susceptible to boxwood blight and leaf spot diseases. Clemson Cooperative Extension also lists boxwood decline, foliage and twig blights, and Phytophthora root rot.

• Common pests: boxwood leafminer, boxwood mite, boxwood psyllid, boxwood moth and nematodes^1,3,4,4
• Common diseases: boxwood blight, leaf spot, boxwood decline and root rot^1,3

Questions and answers

Does common box need full sun?

Full sun is preferred, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed for this shrub. UF IFAS Extension describes a partially shaded or sunny spot as best suited for boxwood.

Is common box toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists common box as toxic to cats and toxic to dogs. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox flags it as a problem for both cats and dogs.

How big does common box get?

It can reach 10 to 12 ft (3.05–3.66 m) tall and spread 6 to 8 ft (1.83–2.44 m), according to Penn State Extension. Its growth rate is slow.