Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica), also called littleleaf boxwood, is the go-to evergreen for clean, classic structure in the garden. This compact, slow-growing shrub is covered in small, glossy, oval green leaves, and it takes shearing beautifully. As a result, it is the backbone of formal hedges, edging, and topiary the world over. It produces small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in spring, and in winter the foliage often takes on golden-to-bronze tones. Tough and tidy, the Japanese Boxwood can be shaped into globes, pyramids, low hedges, and screens, or simply left to form a neat, rounded mound.

Why Grow a Japanese Boxwood?

Shapes into anything – shears cleanly into globes, pyramids, cones, formal hedges, and topiary, or makes a tidy mound left alone.
Year-round evergreen structure – dense, glossy foliage holds all year, with golden-bronze winter tones for extra interest.
Tough & adaptable – also more heat-, humidity-, and drought-tolerant than English boxwood, and drought-tolerant once established.
Deer- and rabbit-resistant – one of the most reliably deer-resistant shrubs you can plant.
Pollinator-friendly – especially the small spring flowers, which are fragrant and attract bees.

Looking for more evergreen structure? Browse our Shrubs & Bushes and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

Botanical name: Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Japanese boxwood, littleleaf boxwood)
Plant type: Compact, slow-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub
Plant family: Buxaceae (the boxwood family)
Mature size: about 4–6 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide (easily kept smaller with shearing)
Foliage: Small, glossy, oval green leaves; often golden-to-bronze in winter
Flowers: Small, fragrant, creamy-white blooms in spring (loved by bees)
Notable traits: Deer- and rabbit-resistant; heat-, humidity-, and drought-tolerant
Cold Hardiness Zones: 6–9

Japanese Boxwood Care & Growing Guide

This easy-care evergreen is a landscape workhorse. Follow these simple guidelines:

Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. However, it grows leggy and sparse in deep shade, and in very hot, full sun the foliage may bronze or scorch.
Water: Water regularly (daily for the first weeks, then weekly) to establish a deep root system, and more often in extreme heat. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant and needs only occasional water.
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil. In addition, mulch heavily to keep roots cool and moist and to deter weeds.
Cold Hardiness Zone: 6–9.
Pruning: While young, prune to encourage dense branching. Once mature, shear occasionally to maintain your shape, since boxwood tolerates regular shaping and even hard pruning well.

Good to know: boxwood is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and people if ingested. Therefore, keep pets and small children from chewing on it.

Ways to Use Japanese Boxwood in the Landscape

This versatile evergreen is built for clipped, formal design. Popular uses for the Japanese Boxwood include:

Formal and informal hedges, low screens, and edging
Also topiary — globes, pyramids, cones, and spirals
Foundation plantings and knot or parterre gardens
Similarly, borders, accents, and entryway pairs
Containers and patio pots for year-round structure

It pairs well with other evergreens for layered, year-round structure. For example, gardeners often combine it with the globe-shaped Little Giant Arborvitae, the upright Podocarpus Macrophyllus, or the columnar Skyrocket Juniper.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Japanese Boxwood starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Japanese Boxwood FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is Japanese Boxwood used for?

It is the go-to evergreen for clean, classic structure. Notably, it shears beautifully, so it is the backbone of formal hedges, edging, and topiary, or it can simply be left as a neat, rounded mound.

How big does Japanese Boxwood get?

It grows about 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. However, because it is slow-growing and takes shearing well, you can easily keep it much smaller.

How far apart should I plant Japanese Boxwood for a hedge?

For a low formal hedge, space plants about 1.5 to 2 feet apart. That close spacing helps the small leaves knit into a solid, clipped wall.

How much sun does Japanese Boxwood need?

It thrives in full sun to partial shade. However, in deep shade it grows leggy and sparse, while in very hot full sun the foliage may bronze or scorch.

How is it different from English boxwood?

Japanese boxwood is tougher in warm climates. Specifically, it is more heat-, humidity-, and drought-tolerant than English boxwood, so it performs better in the South.

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions

How often should I water Japanese Boxwood?

Water daily for the first few weeks, then weekly, to establish a deep root system. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant and needs only occasional water. In addition, mulch heavily to keep the roots cool and moist.

What growing zones is Japanese Boxwood suited for?

It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 6 to 9. In that range it stays evergreen, though the foliage often takes on golden-bronze tones in winter.

How and when should I prune or shape it?

While young, prune to encourage dense branching. Once mature, shear occasionally to maintain your shape, because boxwood tolerates regular shaping and even hard pruning well.

Is Japanese Boxwood toxic to pets?

Yes. It is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and people if eaten. Therefore, keep pets and small children from chewing on it.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Japanese Boxwood starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. So you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) compact evergreen hedge shrub

Japanese boxwood sheared into a formal hedge

Click to enlarge

Japanese boxwood small glossy green oval leaves close-up

Japanese boxwood shaped as a globe topiary

Japanese boxwood evergreen shrub used for edging

Carlos Plant Farm

Japanese Boxwood Plant – Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Evergreen Hedge & Topiary Shrub, Live Starter Plant)

Price range: $33.79 through $59.97

Build classic, year-round structure with a live Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica), also called littleleaf boxwood. This compact, slow-growing evergreen has small, glossy green leaves that shear cleanly into hedges, edging, globes, pyramids, and topiary — or form a tidy mound left alone. Maturing to about 4–6 feet (and easily kept smaller), it’s deer- and rabbit-resistant, heat- and drought-tolerant, with fragrant spring flowers that attract bees. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. Cold hardy in USDA zones 6–9.

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