African Boxwood Plant Care

African Boxwood (Acokanthera schimperi) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Acokanthera genus. African Boxwood is native to eastern and central Africa as well as to Yemen. African Boxwood is also known as Bushman's Poison, Bitter Bush.

African Boxwood displays a large evergreen shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. African Boxwood produces small clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Boxwood every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

African Boxwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acokanthera schimperi tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. African Boxwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for African Boxwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Boxwood every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Boxwood is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

African Boxwood can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune African Boxwood while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

African Boxwood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

African Boxwood can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to round-leaved bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

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African Boxwood is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

African Boxwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. African Boxwood is native to eastern and central Africa as well as to Yemen. In cooler regions, grow African Boxwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.