The versatile boxwood has been known as a garden tree for more than 2000 years: as early as ancient Rome, gardeners transplanted beds with low box hedges. It was also the Romans who brought the evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean region to Western and Central Europe: under the Roman occupation, the box found its way into British garden culture. However, the plant is less common as a houseplant.
Boxwood also gets along well in light locations indoors
Boxwood is only suitable as a houseplant to a limited extent
In principle, you can of course also set up the evergreen Buchs in the living room. However, cultivating hardy potted plants indoors is not entirely uncomplicated and requires a lot of care: In contrast to tropical plants, these plants need the regular change of seasons, the alternation between dormant and vegetative phases. Pests such as the spider mite often occur in the home, but they can be kept in check with appropriate preventive measures (frequent airing, spraying the boxwood) and good care.
The box needs this as a houseplant
Good care and optimal growth conditions are essential so that you can enjoy your indoor boxwood for a long time.
location
In the apartment, the boxwood should be as bright as possible, ideally directly behind a window. Consider that - despite your own visual perception - the incidence of light inside an apartment is many times lower than outside.
substrate
Boxwood feels very comfortable in normal potting soil, but you can also use green plant or special boxwood soil. However, make sure you have good drainage and a drain at the bottom of the pot: Although boxwood needs a lot of water, it does not tolerate waterlogging.
climate
In winter, the Buchs must hibernate cold and light. Don't forget to water it even in the cold season. Otherwise there is a risk of drought damage.
pour
Water the potted box regularly when the top layer of soil has dried. Slowly reduce watering in August (but never stop watering completely!) and increase in March.
Fertilize
Provide your room book with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 14 days. In principle, fertilization is only carried out between April and August.
repot
Repotting is always necessary when the roots have completely penetrated the planter. this is the case about every two to three years.
pruning
Buchs can be kept very small by cutting, and you can also bring the plant into the most imaginative shapes.
tips
Think carefully about whether you actually want to set up the Buchs in the apartment: the plant has an intense odor of its own, which should spread particularly intensively in closed rooms.