The boxwood bonsai is highly cultivated and admired in various parts of the world.
Known for its remarkable durability, this bonsai, when well cared for, can live for many decades, even over a century, enhancing your home or garden.
In this article, you’ll find beautiful photos of this bonsai and learn about its characteristics and care.
Characteristics of the boxwood bonsai
Among the roughly 70 boxwood species, native to Europe, Asia, Africa, Madagascar and the Americas, there are 3 that are commonly grown as bonsai.
- Buxus harlandii: also known as Chinese boxwood or Harland boxwood.
- Buxus sempervirens: also known as common boxwood.
- Buxus microphylla: also known as Japanese boxwood.
For decades, the art of bonsai has attracted growers from around the world, offering a unique way to express nature in miniature form.
Among the many species suitable for this art, these boxwood species have gained significant prominence for the following reasons:
- Small and compact leaves
- Excellent tolerance for pruning and growth direction
- Compact growth, meaning leaves, branches, and shoots grow close together
- The boxwood bonsai can be styled in various ways
- Easy to grow in pots
- Extremely long lifespan
- Good resistance to pests and diseases when the plant is healthy and well cared for
Thanks to these and other characteristics, the boxwood bonsai has become very popular among enthusiasts of this art.
Below, you’ll learn how to care for this bonsai.
How to care for a boxwood bonsai
As mentioned earlier, there are 3 very common species used to create a boxwood bonsai.
Their care is quite similar, so below you’ll find general tips, and when necessary, I’ll provide notes explaining the differences between them.
Below is a brief description of each boxwood bonsai species:
As previously mentioned, this plant has stood out due to its remarkable resilience.
Hence, the boxwood bonsai is recommended for growers of all levels.
Just wear gloves when handling the plant, as its leaves contain toxic alkaloids such as buxine. According to the ASPCA, boxwood is also toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
To succeed with your boxwood, you must provide the following requirements.
Where to place your boxwood bonsai
During the warmer periods of the year, the boxwood species mentioned in this article can be grown outdoors, placed in sunny or semi-sunny locations (where they receive sunlight throughout the day but are also in the shade for some periods).
However, during the colder months, caring for these bonsais requires a bit more attention:
- Buxus harlandii (Chinese boxwood): has less cold resistance compared to other species. Bring it indoors when temperatures drop below about 4°C (40°F). In winter, keep it in a cool room, around 10°C (50°F), or in a greenhouse with good lighting and ventilation.
- Buxus microphylla (Japanese boxwood): is a species more tolerant of cold, but it should be shielded from cold winds or frosts.
- Buxus sempervirens (common boxwood): among the 3 species, this is the most cold-resistant, and some growers keep it outdoors during winter. Be cautious of frosts or extreme temperatures.
Below, you’ll learn how to water your boxwood bonsai.
How to water
Watering is another straightforward aspect to provide for this plant, pay attention:
- During summer: boxwood needs a lot of water, so water as soon as the top layer of the soil starts to dry. If you forget and the bonsai becomes dry, boxwood can withstand short dry periods.
- During winter: watering frequency decreases. Water only after the substrate has dried.
To check if the substrate is dry, insert your finger 2.5 cm (1 inch) into the substrate. If you feel that the soil is still moist, wait another day. If it’s dry, you can water.
Some important observations:
- The ideal water pH is 7 to 8, so most good-quality tap water can be used
- Watering frequency varies with the climate, so using the finger technique mentioned above is the safest way to determine when to water
- After watering, the soil should be damp but not waterlogged
If the leaves start turning yellow or falling, read the article on yellowing, drying or falling bonsai leaves.
Temperature
The boxwood bonsai is a very resilient plant that can withstand a wide range of temperatures, which is why it’s grown in various parts of the world.
Below, you’ll find detailed information about the ideal temperatures for each of the species:
Chinese boxwood: prefers a cool climate between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F), and it can tolerate temperatures of up to 30°C (86°F) for a short period. Remember to protect this species from frosts or very low temperatures, as these factors can cause serious damage to the plant.
Japanese boxwood: also prefers a moderate climate, between 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F). According to Arizona State University, this plant can endure temperatures as low as -17.8°C (0°F) in the ground. In a bonsai pot, however, the roots are much more exposed, so protect it from frost and freezing winds.
Common boxwood: this species has high temperature resistance and can survive in both hot and cold climates. Its ideal range is between 10°C to 24°C (50°F to 75°F), and it can endure high temperatures of 35°C (95°F). In the ground, it is hardy to around -23°C (-10°F), as stated by the Plants for a Future website. In a pot, protect the roots when temperatures drop below about -5°C (23°F).
Fertilization
When fertilizing correctly, you provide your plant with the nutrients it would naturally have in the wild, thus giving your boxwood bonsai more energy to maintain its health and longevity.
Now, let’s cover the main topics about fertilizing this bonsai:
- When to fertilize: Fertilize during the growing season. Chinese boxwood doesn’t go fully dormant in winter, so fertilize it once a month during this period. For common boxwood and Japanese boxwood, it’s not recommended to fertilize during the winter.
- Types of fertilizers to use: You can use either synthetic or organic fertilizers.
- Soil care: If you’re using liquid fertilizers on your bonsai, make sure the soil is moist before applying the fertilizer.
Pruning
Regular pruning is an essential task to maintain your bonsai at the desired size.
The best time for more extensive pruning is during the early spring when the boxwood is starting its growth period.
Pruning is a somewhat complicated task to explain through text, and many beginners struggle with it. Therefore, watch the video below, as a visual explanation can help you understand the entire process.
Pruning is done frequently on boxwood bonsais. It helps you keep your bonsai in the desired shape.
Be very careful not to overdo the pruning, as it can potentially harm and even kill your bonsai.
Wiring
Wiring will help you shape your bonsai the way you want it to be.
However, before you begin wiring, make sure that your plant is well cared for and healthy.
Below are some tips that can help you in this process:
- Boxwood bark is delicate and wire marks stay visible for a long time, so be very careful when wiring.
- The wire should be flexible and strong; aluminum wires are a good option.
- Regularly check the wires to ensure they don’t cut into the bark as the branches thicken.
- Usually, wires are left on for about 3 months.
The video below explains how to wire a bonsai:
Repotting
Repot your boxwood bonsai every 2 to 5 years, depending on the age (plants under 6 years old are usually repotted more frequently) and the size of the plant.
The best time for repotting is in early spring, just before the growth period begins.
Here are some tips to improve your repotting process:
- Remove around 10% of the older roots with a sterilized tool, as this will stimulate the growth of new roots.
- Avoid repotting during the dormancy period of your bonsai (winter).
- When preparing the soil, aim for a neutral to slightly alkaline mix (pH 6.5 to 7.5). You can use materials like pumice, gravel, or limestone in your soil mixture to achieve this.
- After repotting, avoid making significant changes to your bonsai. Give it a few weeks to adapt to the new pot.
The video below can help you perform this procedure more safely:
Pests
There are 4 pests that can cause problems when growing your boxwood bonsai.
- Boxwood leafminer: the leaves look blistered on the underside and turn yellowish.
- Boxwood mite: the leaves show tiny white or yellow scratches.
- Boxwood psyllid: the new leaves cup, and a white, cottony wax appears on the shoots.
- Box tree moth: its caterpillars chew the leaves.
As for diseases, watch out for boxwood blight, a fungal disease that causes dark leaf spots, black streaks on the stems and rapid leaf drop.
To learn how to combat and prevent these problems, you can refer to the article on pests and diseases in bonsai.
Conclusion: boxwood bonsai
Buxus bonsais are very easy to grow and are also very beautiful. If you are a beginner, this is a great plant to start with; just be cautious not to ingest the leaves.
And if you want to learn about more bonsai species, access the articles below:
- Bamboo Bonsai – How to Care, Curiosities and Species
- Pomegranate Bonsai – How to Care in 6 Simple Steps
- Jabuticaba Bonsai – Care to Have Fruits
- Orange Bonsai – How to Care Step by Step
- Lemon Bonsai – Discover How to Easily Cultivate Them
- Mulberry Bonsai – How to Care in 7 Steps
- Bonsai Problems – Yellowing, Drying or Falling Leaves
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