Japanese Boxwood.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Mature size

1-4 feet tall and wide

Growth rate

slow

Care

Provide well-draining soil and consistent moisture, especially when young. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and density, while occasional fertilization can boost growth.

Soil

Loam, clay, sand

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Safety

People

Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Pets

May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

• Small, leathery, oval-shaped leaves
• Glossy dark green upper surface
• Pale green undersides
• Compact, bushy growth habit
• Inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers

Grows well with

• Dwarf Alberta Spruce — These plants share similar watering needs and thrive in comparable conditions, creating a harmonious formal planting.
• Hosta — Hostas provide a soft, leafy contrast to the boxwood's fine texture and prefer partial shade, which boxwood can tolerate.
• Dianthus — Dianthus offers colorful blooms and a lower profile, complementing the boxwood's structure along a border.

Keep away from

• Boxwood Leaf Miner — This pest can cause significant damage by tunneling through the leaves, leading to browning and defoliation.
• Boxwood Blight — A serious fungal disease that causes leaf spots, dieback, and eventual plant death.
• Overwatering — Excessive moisture can lead to root rot and fungal issues.

Similar species

• American Boxwood — American Boxwood is a closely related species, often larger and with slightly different leaf characteristics, but used for similar purposes.
• Littleleaf Boxwood — This is a cultivar of Japanese Boxwood, often more densely branched and slower growing, used for detailed topiaries.

Good to know

• Boxwood has been cultivated for centuries, valued for its dense, fine-grained wood and its adaptability to shaping.