Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Inspect the stems for dark lesions or streaks.
- Feel the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
- Check the base of the plant for fallen debris.
Likely causes
Boxwood Blight
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see rapid leaf drop accompanied by dark brown or black lesions on the stems. The leaves often turn tan or brown before falling off.
What to do: Remove and destroy all infected plant material immediately to prevent spread. Do not compost these clippings. Apply a fungicide labeled for boxwood blight if the infection is in the early stages.
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow or brown and drop off while the soil remains constantly soggy. Check if the roots feel mushy or smell bad.
What to do: Stop watering until the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure your pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.
Find out what's wrong with your boxwood
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If you see dark lesions on the stems, it is likely blight and requires urgent action. It is normal for a few interior leaves to drop in late summer as the plant naturally sheds older foliage.
Stopping it coming back
Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and improve air circulation around the plant. Space your boxwoods properly to ensure good airflow.
Keep your boxwood healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will my boxwood grow back after losing leaves?
- If the cause is minor stress like temporary overwatering, it will recover. If it is blight, the plant may struggle and require significant pruning or removal.
- Should I fertilize a boxwood that is dropping leaves?
- No, do not fertilize a stressed plant. Wait until it shows signs of recovery and new growth.
More problems with Boxwood
- Why are my Common Boxwood leaves turning yellow?
- How do I know if my Common Boxwood has pests?
- What are these spots on my boxwood leaves?
- Why do my Common Boxwood leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my boxwood drooping?
- Why is my boxwood showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my boxwood growing leggy and sparse?
- Why are my boxwood leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.