Swain's Boxwood Plant Care

Swain's Boxwood (Austrobuxus swainii) belongs to the Picrodendraceae family within the Austrobuxus genus. Swain's Boxwood is native to northeast New South Wales and southeastern Queensland, Australia.

Swain's Boxwood displays a compact, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Swain's Boxwood produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Swain's Boxwood every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Swain's Boxwood thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Swain's Boxwood in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Austrobuxus swainii tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Swain's Boxwood prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Swain's Boxwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Swain's Boxwood every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 bright indirect light and well-draining soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Swain's Boxwood is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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

Swain's Boxwood can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Swain's 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 shrub in one year.

Swain's Boxwood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Swain's Boxwood can be propagated through austrobuxus can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds.

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Swain's Boxwood is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. 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.

Swain's Boxwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Swain's Boxwood is native to northeast New South Wales and southeastern Queensland, Australia. In cooler regions, grow Swain's Boxwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.