Boxwood has not only been planted in European gardens for centuries, but also serves as an essential element of artistic garden design. The evergreen shrub is also suitable for keeping in a bucket, for example as a small ball on the balcony or terrace. In order for your Buchs to do well there, you should repot it every two to three years:
The box tree should get a new pot every two years
Repot the boxwood in the pot regularly
A planter, whether small or large, only offers a limited space for root growth. With most potted plants, this is filled within a short time, so that both root growth and the upper parts of the plant suffer. If the roots are permanently stuck in a pot that is too narrow, they will no longer absorb enough water and nutrients. The result is: the box gradually dries up, becomes susceptible to pathogens and pests and - if the condition is not resolved as soon as possible - eventually dies.
How to do it
Treat your Buchs to fresh substrate about every two to three years and, if necessary, a larger pot. This should always be at least five centimeters larger than the rootstock so that the roots have enough space to grow again. If root growth falters, the upper parts of the plant will also wither away. A mixture of potting soil, compost, sand and expanded clay is suitable as a substrate (€19.73), but you can also buy ready-made boxwood soil. It is only important that the planter has a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot so that excess water can drain off and no waterlogging forms. The best time for repotting is spring to around mid/late April. And this is how you do it:
- Get the box out of its previous planter.
- If it gets stuck, gently tap the bottom and sides of the pot.
- This is how roots and soil come loose.
- Gently shake off the old soil and check the roots for damage.
- If necessary, cut back the roots.
- This makes sense if these have been damaged or the book should no longer grow.
- Then, however, the above-ground parts of the plant must also be shortened accordingly.
- Submerge the root ball in a bucket of water.
- Place a shard of pottery on the bottom of the pot and fill in some expanded clay.
- Then comes the substrate.
- Plant the boxwood and press down the substrate well.
- Don't forget to water regularly!
tips
If you cut back the boxwood, you can also use the clippings for propagation.