One of the plants that is usually seen in many cities is the boxwood or Buxus sempervirens. This is because it is an evergreen plant, which allows it to look strong and beautiful throughout the year. In addition, it is a plant that is widely used in many garden beds, as it can be pruned to create hedges, both regular and more artistic or sculptural shapes. However, it is also a good option for growing in a pot, as it adapts well to most soils and, as we have mentioned, it shines with leaves all year round.
If you want to know the potted boxwood care and protect this plant from some pests and diseases that normally attack it, keep reading EcologíaVerde and we will tell you about it.
What is boxwood or Buxus sempervirens
The common boxwood, also called boxwood or simply boxwood, is a plant that can reach an approximate size of less than 2 meters wide and up to 5 meters high. It is a plant native to North Africa and southern Europe, and can also be found in large areas of the Middle East.
It’s about a shrub that usually grows on semi-dry soils, which has stiff, profusely growing branches, as well as green, leathery leaves. It has small flowers with an unpleasant smell, as well as fruits of a size similar to that of chickpeas, and which are usually round in shape and have three characteristic spikes on one side.
It is a very slow growing plant, which means that its reproduction is usually carried out more from the use of cuttings than from its seeds. Boxwood is a plant that is widely used in gardening, as it can grow both in the ground and in a pot. Although it is true that in a pot it will not reach a very large size or, if it does, it will only be when it has large pots. It can be presented both as a wild bush and hedge pruned to shape. One of the precautions that must be taken with this plant is that both the plant itself and its fruits are poisonous, so it is important to prevent animals or small children from playing with the fruits, as well as avoiding using kitchen scissors. for your pruning.
How to care for a potted boxwood: care guide
The potted boxwood care They are quite simple and we show them to you in this practical guide:
Substrate or soil for potted boxwood
Regarding the type of soil, it must be taken into account that it is a plant that prefers soils with a neutral pH or limestone soils. However, it is a plant that adapts well to most soils, even poor soils.
Watering potted boxwood
One of the aspects that must be taken into account when caring for the boxwood plant is that the irrigation must be adapted very well to the seasons of the year. In this way, during the hottest months it will be important to water the soil before it dries out completely. However, it will also be important to avoid excess water and puddled soil. In this way, it is best to water the plant when the surface of the soil begins to dry but not the interior. On the contrary, during the winter and autumn months, it is best to limit irrigation to once a week, always avoiding excess water, since it is a plant that can be easily affected by fungi. .
Temperature for potted boxwood
Finally, another aspect that we will have to take into account when caring for a boxwood plant in a pot is that it supports cool and warm temperatures well. However, the best temperature will be around 10ºC approximately.
Light and Location for Potted Boxwood Shrub
On the other hand, it is a plant that prefers indirect light, so in summer it is recommended to place the plant in a place that avoids direct sunlight, for example it is better to have it located in a sunny and shaded area.
Thus, seeing the most suitable temperature and light, we can say that this potted shrub can be both outdoors and indoors, but in sunny and shaded areas. If you choose to have it outdoors, they are usually used in a very decorative way for the entrance of the house, placing one on each side of the door or at the beginning of the path.
Pot, transplant and pruning of boxwood
Also, keep an eye on its growth to see when the pot outgrows it and you should transplant it. In any case, from the outset we recommend that you plant it in a large pot.
Being a shrub and having it in a pot, regular pruning is necessary to give it the shape you want, since it is one of the best known trees and shrubs for topiary pruning.
Boxwood Shrub Pests and Diseases
Despite being a fairly resistant plant, boxwood is also a plant that can be easily affected by different pests. In fact, although in many cases they do not kill the plant, they will greatly affect its appearance and its own health and growth, so it is important to be attentive to the symptoms that it may show, especially in the color of the leaves.
In general, during the summer months the main threats are to be found in some insects, such as mealybugs or the boxwood mosquito. In these cases, it is best to spray both the plant and the soil with natural insecticides that eliminate the pest, but do not affect the plant.
On the contrary, during the months of more humidity and cold, the greatest danger will be the appearance of boxwood mushrooms in pot. These are especially appreciated in a yellowish and poor color in the leaves, as well as in black spots or specks in the same leaves. In this case, it is best to carry out a spraying with a natural fungicide from minerals such as sulfur, or biological substances such as cinnamon or garlic.
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