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How to Grow and Care for Chinese box

Chinese box, also known as Littleleaf Boxwood, Korean Box, Korean Littleleaf Boxwood, Insularis Boxwood, Asian Boxwood

Chinese box is known for its resilience and low-maintenance care requirements, making it an easy plant to manage for both novice and experienced gardeners. Key care points include ensuring well-drained soil to prevent root rot and providing adequate sunlight to keep its foliage healthy. Pruning is important for chinese box to maintain its shape and remove any dead or diseased branches, ideally done in late winter or early spring.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Chinese box

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	5-8
Toxicity	Toxic to Pets

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Varieties of Chinese box

Korean box 'Justin Brouwers'

Korean box 'Justin Brouwers' is a cultivated plant from the boxwood family bred to be a small round bush. Its small size differentiates it from other plants in the genus, along with its tiny leaves and white flowers. Other species have noticeably larger leaves and flowers. In gardens, it is often used to create low borders.

Chinese box 'Nana'

A compact, low-growing variety of boxwoods, chinese box 'Nana' is distinct for its small stature and evergreen foliage. Cultivated as a hybrid of other boxwood variants, this cultivar was named after the Japanese word for "small" due to its manageable size. Chinese box 'Nana' is popular for its year-round value, bright green color, and extreme ease of care.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Chinese box

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More General Info About Chinese box

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Chinese box is characterized by its dense and compact growth habit, maturing to a height of about 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) with a similar spread. This evergreen shrub displays glossy, oval leaves that are small and leathery, typically staying under 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems, creating a fine-textured appearance. It has a tendency to produce rounded shapes if left unpruned. The stems are notably square in cross-section, a distinctive trait, particularly noticeable in young plants.