Boxwood shrubs are a popular choice for hedges and topiaries thanks to their compact green foliage and ability to be shaped. However, purchasing mature boxwood plants can be quite expensive. That’s why many gardeners opt to grow boxwoods from cuttings – it’s an affordable way to get lots of plants! But how long does it take boxwood cuttings to grow into mature shrubs?
Rooting the Cuttings
The first step in growing boxwoods from cuttings is getting them to root. Here’s a quick overview of the rooting process:
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Take 6 inch tip cuttings from healthy boxwood growth in early spring or fall.
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Dip the bottom 2-3 inches of the stems in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
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Plant the cuttings close together in pots or directly into the ground in a protected area like a cold frame
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Keep the soil consistently moist.
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Rooting can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks Check for new growth as a sign roots have developed
Rooting boxwood cuttings is relatively straightforward, but it does take patience. Don’t expect to see significant growth in the first few months. Focus on getting the cuttingsestablished and rooted first.
Early Growth Stage
Once your boxwood cuttings have successfully rooted, they enter the earliest stage of growth. At this point you’ll begin to see some new stem and leaf growth, but the plants will still be quite small and sparse.
Some key things to expect in the first 6 months after rooting:
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Modest new growth, mostly at the tips of stems. Total height may reach 4-8 inches.
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Plants will likely remain skinny and spindly. Don’t expect much thickening of stems yet.
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Leaf color may be lighter than mature boxwood foliage. This is normal in juvenile plants.
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Any shaping or shearing should be minimal to allow the young plants to focus energy on establishing roots and new growth.
While newly rooted boxwood cuttings do start actively growing once rooted, progress is slow in these early stages. Have patience and let the small plants develop without too much interference.
First Year of Growth
By the end of the first year after rooting, you’ll notice your boxwood cuttings picking up steam and really starting to look like miniature shrubs. Here’s what to expect:
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Total height around 12-18 inches, depending on the variety.
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Stems thickening up compared to the spindly early growth.
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Plant takes on a bushy habit with foliage filling out.
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More abundant new growth resulting in fuller shape.
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Deep green mature foliage color develops.
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Can lightly shape/shear plants, but avoid heavy pruning.
The first year is an important period of development for young boxwoods. Make sure to keep them well watered and fertilized throughout this stage. You’ll be amazed how much they grow!
Second Year Growth
By the second year, your boxwoods grown from cuttings will really resemble mature shrubs. What happens during the second year of growth:
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Total height around 2-3 feet.
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Significant increase in overall size, fullness, and bulk.
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Can begin more regular shaping and shearing for topiaries or hedges.
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Plants are well-rooted and can be transplanted to final locations if desired.
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Growth slows in preparation for transition to mature stage.
At this point the plants look quite nice and can be incorporated into the landscape. The hard work pays off in year two as you finally have boxwoods with the size and form of mature shrubs!
Maturing Growth Habit
After two years of growth from cuttings, boxwoods shift into a slower growth pattern as mature shrubs. Here’s what you can expect as they continue maturing:
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Average growth rate of 4-8 inches per year once established.
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Can be shaped extensively into topiaries or tight hedges.
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Maintain desired size through regular pruning 2-3 times per year.
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Long-lived plants, often lasting decades with proper care.
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Planting in optimal site for sunlight, drainage and nutrition is key.
Boxwoods grown from cuttings will now increase at a steady, moderate pace. Enjoy shaping them as they provide structure and green foliage in your garden for years to come!
Tips for Faster Growth
If your boxwood cuttings seem to be growing slower than expected, here are some tips to help accelerate their progress:
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Make sure plants get adequate sunlight – at least 4-6 hours per day.
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Avoid drought stress by watering regularly during dry periods.
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Feed every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
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Prune judiciously – avoid overshearing which diverts energy from growth.
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Check soil pH – boxwood prefers slightly alkaline soil around pH 7-7.5.
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Ensure proper drainage and aeration – add organic matter if needed.
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Protect from harsh winter winds to prevent dieback and damage.
Giving your boxwoods ideal growing conditions makes a big difference in how quickly they establish and mature from small starter plants. Be patient though – even with good care, boxwoods grow at a moderate, steady pace. But the time and effort are well worth it to grow these beautiful shrubs from cuttings!
Prepare boxwood cutting to root
I create a fresh spot for roots by pinching/stripping the leaves off. This makes the stem a little more flexible, which is why I don’t mind using pruners instead of a sharp knife to cut things.
If you pinch off the leaves instead of pulling them off, you won’t hurt the stem as much, and you won’t scratch the cutting as much. I’m not always very careful, but I haven’t had any problems yet. I thought you might want to know that.
Now that the leaves are removed dip the cuttings into rooting hormone (this is optional)
Want a pretty boxwood hedge but don’t want to spend a lot of money? I hear you. The answer is to take boxwood cuttings and root them. I share how to propagate boxwood plants and how easy it really is!
Propagating boxwood with cuttings is super easy but it does take a bit of time. Even though it might take three years or more for boxwood plants to get big enough to make a garden hedge, the money you save is huge.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and then buy something, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
It is May and I am working towards a more tidy garden. As you may know if you’ve been reading this for a while, I like gardening that isn’t too neat or fancy. The loose, wild cottage garden is more my thing.
Yet, I find I am craving a bit more order. To do that, I think I can build some green structure that will last all winter and look nice when nothing is blooming. I am not going for rigid, straight lines, so no worries on that score.
I love boxwood (Buxus) and how versatile it can be. Many varieties, like Winter Gem, keep their green color through the winter and can be shaped into topiary.
Adding a boxwood hedge to your garden not only makes it look nicer without being too much work, but it also keeps deer away.
Planting enough boxwood can get expensive very quickly if you want enough to create a nice hedge. So what is a budget-minded gardener to do?.
Take cuttings from an existing boxwood and propagate a ton of them.
Note: use only boxwoods that are no longer patented. Also, use boxwood cultivars that don’t have the nasty cat pee scent. (those are usually English boxwoods that stink).
DIY Easy Boxwood (Buxus) Propagation | How To Grow Boxwood From Cuttings & Create Your Own Hedge
FAQ
How do you make boxwoods grow faster?
How long does it take a boxwood to grow to full size?
Will boxwood cuttings root?
How long does a boxwood take to grow?
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for roots to form. Rooting hormone may speed the rooting along but isn’t absolutely necessary. To propagate boxwoods from cuttings select healthy cuttings that are about 4 to 5 inches long. Remove about half of the leaves from lower half of the boxwood cutting.
How do you propagate boxwoods from cuttings?
Rooting hormone may speed the rooting along but isn’t absolutely necessary. To propagate boxwoods from cuttings select healthy cuttings that are about 4 to 5 inches long. Remove about half of the leaves from lower half of the boxwood cutting. After you have stripped the leaves from the cutting put the stripped end into a moistened potting medium.
How long do boxwood cuttings take to root?
In 1-3 months your boxwood cuttings should root, although it can take much longer. Even once rooted, you won’t see much growth till their spring flush. You can tell that your cuttings have rooted when a gentle pull on their stem is met with resistance or if you can see new growth or roots coming out of the bottom of their pot.
How do you cut boxwood?
Using a sharp knife or sharpened pruners, cut 4-6 inch lengths of stem from the fresh outer growth of the boxwood. Transfer each stem to the jar of water, submerging the stems as you would cut flowers, while you take the rest of your cuttings. Strip the leaves from the bottom of each cutting, leaving 3 or 4 leaves at the top.