Boxwood Bonsai
Buxus sempervirens / Buxus microphylla
📖 About this plant
One of the most classic bonsai species, boxwood is prized for its tiny, dense, glossy green leaves and ability to tolerate heavy pruning. Its slow growth rate makes it perfect for maintaining refined shapes. Boxwood bonsai can be styled in formal, informal, and cloud-layer forms. The wood is extremely hard and develops beautiful aged bark.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Partial shade to full sun (4-6 hrs)
Every 2-3 days
Moderate (40-60%)
5-30°C
Well-draining standard bonsai soil mix; slightly alkaline preferred; pH 6.5-7.5
Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season; organic slow-release pellets in spring and fall
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Europe, Mediterranean, East Asia
- 📏 Max height
- 15-30 cm (bonsai form)
- 📐 Spread
- 15-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellow-Green
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Toxic — leaves and bark contain alkaloids (buxine). Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. All parts toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and livestock. Keep out of reach
- 🌱 Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or autumn; grows slowly from cuttings — use rooting hormone
🛡️ Health & Safety
Toxic — leaves and bark contain alkaloids (buxine). Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. All parts toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and livestock. Keep out of reach
Common issues
- Boxwood leafminer causing blistered leaves, Boxwood blight fungal disease, Root rot from overwatering, Spider mites in hot dry conditions, Winter burn from cold winds
💡 Care tips
- Tiny dense leaves create a refined and formal appearance,Very tolerant of pruning and shaping making it ideal for bonsai,Hardy evergreen that can be grown outdoors year-round in many zones,Develops aged character and rough bark even on relatively young trees
