Buxus arborea Plant Care

Buxus arborea (Buxus arborea) belongs to the Buxaceae family within the Buxus genus. Buxus arborea is native to Jamaica.

Buxus arborea displays a slow-growing compact shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Buxus arborea produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Buxus arborea every 7–14 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.

Buxus arborea thrives in part shade to full sun.

Buxus arborea tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Buxus arborea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Buxus arborea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Buxus arborea 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 part shade to full sun and well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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.

Buxus arborea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Buxus arborea 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.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Buxus arborea can be propagated through stem cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to boxwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Buxus arborea is susceptible to boxwood leafminer, boxwood mite, boxwood psyllid. 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.