Boxwood plants, with their dense, evergreen foliage, bring a touch of formal garden elegance indoors. Though common outdoors, these versatile shrubs can be cultivated within your home, adding year-round greenery and structure to smaller spaces or as decorative accents. Their adaptability makes them an appealing option for indoor container growing.
Selecting Indoor Boxwood Varieties
Not all boxwood varieties are equally suited for indoor environments; selecting the right one is crucial for success. Compact and slower-growing types are preferred due to their manageable size and adaptation to indoor conditions. Varieties like Buxus microphylla ‘Compacta’ or ‘Little Missy’ are excellent choices, known for their small leaf size and dense growth. The Dwarf English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’) also performs well indoors, offering fine, dense foliage and a classic appearance. These varieties thrive in containers, making their growth easier to manage indoors.
Essential Indoor Care
Caring for indoor boxwood involves providing a consistent environment that mimics their preferred outdoor conditions. Maintaining proper light, watering, soil, temperature, humidity, and fertilization practices will help ensure their health and vigor.
Light
Indoor boxwood plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Placing them near a window that receives ample ambient light, such as a north-facing window, is ideal. While some varieties tolerate partial shade, too little light can lead to yellowing leaves. Direct, intense sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, can cause leaf scorching. If natural light is insufficient, supplemental grow lights can provide the necessary illumination for healthy growth.
Watering
Consistent and appropriate watering is important for indoor boxwood. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. Container-grown boxwoods require more frequent watering than those in the ground because their soil dries out faster. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
Soil
The ideal soil mix for indoor boxwood is well-draining and holds moisture without becoming soggy. A high-quality potting mix formulated for houseplants works well. Boxwood prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, typically between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporating perlite or coarse sand into the potting mix can improve drainage and aeration, preventing compaction and promoting healthy root development.
Temperature and Humidity
Boxwood plants prefer cooler indoor temperatures, ideally between 50°F and 75°F (10°C to 24°C). While they tolerate warmer conditions, prolonged exposure to high heat, especially above 95°F (35°C), can stress the plant. Indoor environments, particularly in winter with heating, often have low humidity, which negatively impacts boxwood. Increase humidity using a pebble tray, grouping plants, or a room humidifier. Regular misting offers a temporary boost.
Fertilizing
Indoor boxwood benefits from regular feeding during its active growing season, typically spring and summer. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-6-4 or 10-10-10 NPK ratio, every 4-6 weeks to support healthy foliage and growth. Slow-release granular fertilizers are also an option for container-grown boxwood. Follow product instructions to avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to fertilizer burn and plant damage. Reduce or cease fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows.
Pruning and Shaping for Indoor Growth
Pruning is important for maintaining the desired shape and size of indoor boxwood and promoting dense, healthy foliage. Regular, light trimming is more effective for indoor plants than infrequent, heavy cuts. Pruning can maintain compact forms, create topiary shapes, or encourage a bonsai-like appearance.
The best time for significant pruning is typically in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. Light touch-up pruning can be performed throughout the growing season to maintain shape. Use sharp, clean tools to make precise cuts, which helps prevent disease and promotes faster healing. Thinning the plant’s interior improves air circulation and allows more light to reach inner leaves, preventing them from dying off.
Addressing Common Indoor Boxwood Issues
Even with proper care, indoor boxwood can face issues affecting its health and appearance. Recognizing these problems early aids prompt resolution.
Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering, nutrient deficiency, or insufficient light. Consistently wet soil may lead to root rot, causing leaves to yellow and drop. A lack of nitrogen or iron can also cause yellowing. Browning leaf tips or edges signal low humidity or inconsistent watering.
Leaf drop, especially when sudden, can stem from environmental stress, such as abrupt changes in temperature, light, or watering routines. Pests like spider mites and boxwood leafminers are common indoor culprits causing discoloration and damage. Spider mites cause tiny yellow stippling and fine webbing. Boxwood leafminers create blister-like structures and yellowing within leaves as larvae feed internally. Regularly inspecting the plant, especially leaf undersides, helps detect pests early. Addressing environmental issues and using appropriate organic pest control methods can restore plant health.