How to Root Boxwood Cuttings

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are evergreen shrubs that come in a range of sizes and are widely used for creating hedges. The plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 8 and thrive in a neutral to acidic soil. Slow-growing boxwoods respond well to pruning and are poorly tolerant of cold weather. The hardy plants are generally resistant to disease and common pests. You can easily propagate new plants by rooting the cuttings.

Things You'll Need

Semi hardwood cuttings
Rooting hormone
Shallow cup

Tray
Moist sand or vermiculite

Instructions

- 1
  Place 1 tsp. of rooting hormone into a cup and set aside. Prepare planting tray with moist vermiculite or sand.
- 2
  Take semi hardwood cuttings from a boxwood shrub for propagation, as recommended by the North Carolina State University Extension. Semi hardwood cuttings are the partially mature stems taken immediately following new growth. The stems are firm but not soft with mature-sized foliage.
- 3
  Cut 6-inch-long stem portions and remove the lower leaves from the stems. Dip the stems first into water and then into rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings immediately into the prepared planting tray.
- 4
  Place the tray in a cool and humid place, and keep the growing medium consistently moist for better germination. Boxwood cuttings can take up to 6 months to start forming roots.
- 5
  Prepare the garden site with well-drained soil that is liberally amended with organic matter or compost. Transplant the rooted cuttings during spring or fall for best growth. The plants will grow very slowly during the first year. It takes five to eight years for boxwoods to achieve their mature size.

How Do I Kill Bahia Grass?

How to Keep Squirrels Off My Lawn

Growing Mint