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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 pretty all year long. In addition, it is a plant that is widely used in many garden beds, since it can be pruned to create hedges, both in regular shapes and in other more artistic or sculptural shapes. However, it is also a good option for growing in pots, since it adapts well to most soils and, as we have mentioned, it looks with leaves all year round.

If you want to know the care of potted boxwood and protect this plant from some pests and diseases that usually attack it normally, keep reading AgroCorrn and we will tell you about it.

You may also be interested in: Potted avocado care
Index
  1. What is boxwood or Buxus sempervirens
  2. How to care for a potted box: care guide
  3. Pests and diseases of the boxwood shrub

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 an original plant from North Africa and Southern Europe, and can also be found in large areas of the Middle East.

It is a shrub that usually grows in semi-dry soils , which has rigid branches that grow numerous, as well as green and leathery leaves. It has small flowers with an unpleasant smell, as well as fruits of a size similar to that of chickpeas, and which usually appear in a rounded shape and with three characteristic spikes on one of its sides.

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 soil and in a pot. Although it is true that in a pot it will not reach a very large size or, in the case of doing so, it will only be when it has large pots. It can be presented both as a wild bush and pruned in the form of a hedge to give it shape . One of the precautions that must be taken with this plant is that both the plant itself and its fruits are poisons, so it is important to prevent animals or small children from playing with the fruits, as well as to avoid using kitchen scissors. for pruning.

How to care for a potted box: care guide

The care of potted boxwood is quite simple and we show it to you in this practical guide:

Substrate or soil for potted boxwood

Regarding the type of soil, it must be borne in mind 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 up completely. However, it will also be important to avoid excess water and flooded land. In this way, it is best to water the plant when the surface of the earth begins to dry but not the interior. On the contrary, during the winter and autumn months, it is best to limit watering 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 potted boxwood plant is that it supports cool and warm temperatures well. However, the best temperature will be the one around approximately 10ºC.

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 shady 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 shady 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 the beginning of the path.

Pot, transplant and pruning of boxwood

Also, keep an eye on its growth to see when the pot becomes too small and you should transplant it. Anyway, from the outset we recommend that you already 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 pruning toparia .

Pests and diseases of the boxwood shrub

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 it may show, especially in the color of the leaves.

In general, during the summer months the main threats we will find 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 fungi in the potted boxwood . These are especially appreciated in a poor yellowish color on the leaves, as well as black spots or specks on the leaves themselves. In this case, it is best to spray with a natural fungicide from minerals such as sulfur, or biological substances such as cinnamon or garlic.

If you want to read more articles similar to Potted boxwood care , we recommend that you enter our Growing and plant care category .

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Hello, I am a blogger specialized in environmental, health and scientific dissemination issues in general. The best way to define myself as a blogger is by reading my texts, so I encourage you to do so. Above all, if you are interested in staying up to date and reflecting on these issues, both on a practical and informative level.

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