Boxwood Propagation from Cuttings (How to Make Your Own Boxwood Hedge for Free)

[@judgejulie7869]

Going to try this for our front garden that no gardener appears to want to do for me, so I guess I'll save a tonne of money and do it myself! Thanks for the very informative video ❤

[@Mcfads999]

Beginner here ! I have lots of this hedge at the back of my garden. Cannot afford new plants and hedges due to the cost of living crises. I think this will be very rewarding . What time of year is best ? And I'm in the UK. These hedges are everywhere! Great videos👍

[@CardiacCat]

I did this with a couple of the "Sky Pencil Holly" (which looks like a tall skinny boxwood) as a test and they rooted. Since you have to trim the tops of them on a regular basis, you will have plenty of "throw away" material to try out. I'm thinking it will work for other types of hedge bushes too.

[@gregboshell4532]

I've done boxwoods and had a good success rate thanks for the tip on pinching the tips

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome for the "tip!" 😉

[@HWoodCreations]

Never even thought of doing this to my boxwoods. Thanks for the video!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@NutmegThumper]

I’m cutting back some leggy four foot boxwoods back to one foot to get more bushy fill in the lower area. Will use the cuttings.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Perfect use for those cuttings!

[@lukewarlock9211]

I was looking for an idea and you gave it to me, my friend, thank you so much.

[@helenascheele5922]

Hi! Thanks for the video. I live in Sweden, and i live in a small house with a small garden. All my beds are surrounded by box. From ONE plant! I´m maybe possessed? My propagation method is different from yours. It takes a year before they are transplanted to a pot. I think it our summers are shorter and we have to wait before taking the cuttings, so they not are to soft. I took mine yesterday and today is the 5th of July. I plant directly in planting soil in the shade. I don´t have to bother about misting and watering. This is my method: I prepare my cuttings like you, but a little big shorter. Normal plantkompost without any other medium. I use a thin transparent plastic box you buy fruit in. It already has holes in the bottom. I plant my cuttings much closer, maybe 1/2 an inch between. I cut under a node, but I also scratch along the stems axis between the cuttings two lowest node (Just with my nail but so I disturb the stem, and the plant wants to repair and sends out more rooting hormons, they say.) After firming the soil a bit I put the container in a place with water, and let the soil absorb the water. I put the container outdoors in the shade, directly on the ground under a bush. No direct sunlight at all. And, there it is. I hardly water at all. Maybe 3-4 times a normal summer. But when it is extremely warm, like summer 2018 with 35 degrees Cel of course they need a little extra. In the fall I inspect the box. New growth? Roots? Dead? I remove the dead, 25%. They are not big enough to transplant and I prepare for winter. I have a small "coldframe", with a cover made of a type of foam that you have under wooden floor. I place the containers IN the soil. Maybe some dry leaves on top . The lid on when the frost comes. In the early spring, next inspection. Remove the dead. Place the container where they get more light. Late spring/ early summer it is time to transplant to individual pots and start feeding. OK, rate of survivers? I really don´t know. I´d estimate that it is 50-60 %. As I put so many in several plastic containers and they need very little care, I get more than enough plants.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Sounds like a good process for you! Around here our summers get to the mid 90's F. (32.2+ C) Active watering and misting become essential. Even on the shady sides of houses things dry out fast. You make a great point about the regionality of plant propagation. My techniques may not work the same way in your area and vice versa.

[@helenascheele5922]

@@Growingthehomegarden well. In 10 years or so we might have the same Climate as you, and then I Could use your metod!

[@colleensmith3374]

Thx so much. Love boxwoods & babied all winter in my garage. They both died so great to hear how to do it right. I have clay soil in CO too so not sure what I did wrong really. Try try again:)

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Try using a loose mix for rooting medium. Sand, sand/peat, peat/perlite, fine bark (sold as soil conditioner) can all be effective.

[@214jock]

Much thanks, you've saved me a small fortune

[@lindaplumley4060]

I've been looking for direction on growing boxwood cuttings, so I'm glad to have found your channel. Just subscribed. Thanks for the tips!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I hope it helps! Thank you for subscribing. :)

[@kengelafryar304]

I am new to this. I just purchased 20 Japanese Boxwood 2 inch plants for $100 and they look just like this! I’ve been bamboozled! At least now I know I can make more myself. So I wonder if I can plant these right onto the ground or should I pot them and wait until they’re bigger?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I would pot them up and grow them out longer. Give them a good balanced fertilizer and get some good growth on them over the summer. If you can get them to about 8 to 10 inches in size you could plant them. Maybe as soon as fall.

[@youtubesteph]

I have tried so many ways and so many times of year to root boxwood cuttings and have never been successful! Well, I did have some success planting directly around an herb garden that gets watered by our lawn sprinkler, but in other areas and pots and a sand-filled raised bed the failure rate was >90%. We bought about 50 small boxwoods to get our garden started, intending to fill in the rest with cuttings, but now the parents are 3 years old and we are about ready to give up and just buy the rest (will need another 50 or so!). I haven't tried at this time of year and am considering it, since I think part of the failure is how darn hot it gets here in the summer. It's hard to get the right amount of moisture as they are either soaking or dry very quickly.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

These boxwoods did fine left in our summertime heat in a shady location. (We hit the mid 90s regularly from July to the end of August) They were watered every other day it didn't rain. Did you try covering them in some way to reduce water loss?

[@youtubesteph]

@@Growingthehomegarden Yes, I tried both covered and uncovered. Some did get hit by direct sun for about an hour or two a day, so I may have to find a shadier spot. It's just convenient on our back covered patio so that I remember to check them for water!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Try finding a spot will full shade and see if that helps. When they don't have roots they can dry out very fast. That sun even for an hour or two could be enough to dry them out and stress them.

[@staciaallison5638]

So I just found you and I love everything you show. I can see my garden expanding by just using what I already have. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Now my question. Im in Illinois, zone 5b. I planted 6 small boxwoods that I purchased from Home Depot a couple months ago. They seem to be doing fine. They are West facing so they will get the hot afternoon sun. This past week we have had upper 80's some 90's and the past day a lot of rain. But still doing good. Because they are young plants (10") will this year be to early to try and propagate? Also when you take your cuttings and put them in your tray do you then put that tray outside in the shade and just let them grow and root outside? What do you do with them come winter? We have some pretty brutal winters. Thanks again.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Generally if your plants are hardy for your area then the cuttings should be OK. If you want to add some additional protection a clear plastic tote can serve as a greenhouse. You may need to add ventilation to it for hot days. Most of the cuttings I do these days are under the shade of a tree rather than in the greenhouse. I've found the greenhouse gets too hot to do summer cuttings. The greenhouse is useful to expand the growing season some though. My boxwoods stayed outdoors all winter but our Tennessee winters are milder than Illinois. As long as you can get the right type of cutting from the boxwoods you could take cuttings. Trimming them will just make the main plant bushier and spur new growth. Look for cuttings that are firm and still green. You don't want floppy growth. Hope that helps!

[@staciaallison5638]

@@Growingthehomegarden that helps a lot. thanks

[@user-qd5cb4uz4c]

Loved this video! My question is what if I did these now mid summer what should I do with them to protect in the winter in Michigan?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Thanks! In general if the plant can survive your winters I think it will be fine with minimal protection. I would probably guve it a sheltered location near a building and use a row cover fabric to help insure that it make it through. These cuttings were left outdoors unprotected here in Tennessee while we had a week of freezing temperate and 7 inches of snow. You'll have a good bit more cold weather mess I'd imagine but I think they will come through alright!

[@hannablom5803]

Hi! So I did some boxwood cuttings at the end of may but I still don’t see any roots though it has been 2 months 🫢. I did around 20 or so from three different shrubs (young plants) and used rooting powder so I figure some of them should have rooted.. Is it just a matter of waiting longer you think?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Sometimes it takes longer for things to root. You are only 8 weeks into it. I would give it a few more and see. As long as the cuttings are still green and aren't dying off you have a shot!

[@hannablom5803]

@@Growingthehomegarden Thanks! 😊

[@sirdecksthelot3032]

Nice vid. New ro channel look forward to catching up on your vids. Doing box cuttings just now. 👍

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Thanks for watching! Good luck on your cuttings!

[@patriciaamar2264]

Please, what is the name of the boxus variety you are cutting? I love the shiny leaves of your boxus cutting 🌻🐝 Thank you

[@jlnriddick]

Hello, I've been subscribed for about a year and have learned a lot from you! In return, I thought I'd share with you a method that provides an earlier opportunity to start your boxwood cuttings that I learned from a different gardener who roots thousands of boxwood cuttings each year. Essentially the same process, but the cuttings are taken in winter. I'm in Buffalo NY, and it is very much still winter here. They take a 6 node cutting of this past years growth (preferably using tips), strip off the bottom 3 sets of leaves, stick cuttings into 90% perlite/10% peat mixture (well dampened), place in an area protected from sun and harsh winds (but do not cover), keep them moist, and give them 2-3 months to root. Perhaps more of an advantage to begin in February, giving you cuttings that are ready to plant out in May, but either way, it might be advantageous for some who have fairly short summers. Mine will be stuck tomorrow, March 4th, so I'll let you know how I fair. Thanks for always sharing your knowledge!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome and thanks for being here! Some great ideas there. Boxwoods are definitely good plants to propagate at several different times of the year. I've been meaning to do some more cuttings of ours but haven't had a chance. Now we're starting to have 70 degree days so they will start putting out fresh growth soon.

[@jlnriddick]

@@Growingthehomegarden What I wouldn't give to see 70 degrees! Enjoy your spring and stay safe!

[@tammyhollifield9312]

These videos are so helpful, thanks for sharing.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome!

[@nayne6916]

Thank you! Just saved me money!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome, saving money these days is important!

[@MO-tt3ue]

is there an update to this? ;)

[@sierramike6626]

Great video, thanks!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome!

[@benphartine]

Thank you

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@elmormonteiro5780]

I think our boxwood is a different kind as compared to yours. Ours have shorter branches. I tried propagating some by covering it with clear plastic. Some looks alive and some have wilted. I hope some will survive so I can add some around our patio. Thanks.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

It may be a Korean Boxwood which has short branches and form. It roots like other boxwoods do. I would recommend checking on the wilted ones and seeing if there is rot on the stem. If there is get rid of those cuttings.

[@elmormonteiro5780]

Growing The Home Garden It’s Korean boxwood most probably. The wilted ones have brown stem, I took them out. Hopefully I’ll be able to propagate some. Thanks.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Just keep at it. The root well in the winter to spring time frame too. I put some in a plastic container last winter, put a little water in it, closed it up and had roots in spring. I checked a few times and removed some that died.

[@programmingchicago]

When do you put the boxwood cuttings in the sun? Thank you.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

After they have a strong root system you can gradually acclimate them. Just make sure they have a good number of roots before you do.

[@trudymiller2524]

Hi - thanks for the great info. What ratio of peat to sand do you recommend? Thank you.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

For these cuttings I did peat in the bottom half of each cell and sand over top of that for the other half. The two were not mixed together but were separate layers. It worked pretty well.

[@zhuolingwilliamson3796]

Hi, in uk JULY is 20c degree, is it good time to do grow from cuttings ?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You should be fine! Those are early spring temperatures here in Tennessee, USA. How long will the temperatures stay that low? (never been to the UK)

[@lmSteveo]

I have my cuttings in some potting soil. I kept them indoors near a window. It’s been 4-5 weeks and none of them have started to root. The leaves are still green and I kept the soil moist. Does it need a heating pad or a grow light ?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

As long as they are still green roots may form. It may take longer depending on the conditions. Mine were outdoors in a shady location with summertime temperatures. Some bottom heat may help.

[@ef5842]

Can you plant several stems in a cluster make your tiny bush look more visible?

[@KS-ys8vu]

Can I do this over the winter?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You should be able to. Just wait a little while until the boxwood is dormant. You don't want to trigger new growth on the plant then have it killed be freezing temperatures.

[@KS-ys8vu]

@@Growingthehomegarden ty!

[@mercedesg3607]

Great video! I just recently found your channel and your content is very helpful. I'm in zone 6A and am in my 3rd year of gardening. When you use sand to propagate, are you using wet sand and is it store bought? I seem to be having a really hard time propagting anything since I end up with either mold or it dries up on me. I normally use root hormone but maybe I should give sand and peat a try. Thanks!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Hi Mercedes, thanks for the great comment! The sand I get is the type they use for paving stones. You can use builder sand or kids play sand as well. It sounds like consistent moisture is the problem, are you using anything to cover your cuttings?

[@mercedesg3607]

@@Growingthehomegarden I used a see through plastic storage container with lid from Walmart for my cuttings. It did create lots of moisture. I keep it in my sunroom out of direct sunlight but the sunroom is not insulated well and does reach 80+ degrees in summer. I also have a small $40 greenhouse I purchased from Amazon that I do keep in direct sunlight.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You may need to cut a few holes in the plastic lid to allow some ventilation. Another idea is you could get a very small fan to hook inside to create some air circulation.

[@mercedesg3607]

@@Growingthehomegarden I do have a small fan but never thought to use one. I'll give these sugestions a go. Thanks again!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

@@mercedesg3607 Good luck! Let me know how it turns out. :)

[@snowismas]

can you use a big clipping, like a whole branch?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I don't think it would work so well. The larger the clipping the more moisture the cutting will need to retain. There would be a lot of opportunity for water loss on a large cutting. I would try to keep it no large than 8 inches. That's not to say you couldn't get it to root, only I suspect success rates would be lower. You could try layering a branch while it is still attached to the main plant and may achieve some good results that way.

[@snowismas]

@@Growingthehomegarden Thank you.

[@faribajavaherpour710]

When is the right time to do it? My boxwood has bigger leaves is that ok too?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

It seems to work for me almost anytime after danger of frost has passed. Bigger leaves shouldn't be a problem.

[@divineknowledge4607]

I have a high area I need to make a hedge, neighbor seems to think my yard is their dogs toilet. They pick up the crap, but still it's rude! The area is hugh I need to do and priced buying new boxwoods and they want to charge me 2000 for them! I have a 20 foot established wintergreen boxwood tree and now will save myself big money!

[@Growingthehomegarden]

That's why I love plant propagation! Saves so much money!

[@divineknowledge4607]

@@Growingthehomegarden can I leave the new plants outside over winter? (Midwest winter of average 12 inches of snow and coldest temperature for a few weeks of negative 40 degrees.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

At -40 degrees I would probably recommend keeping them indoors (garage or greenhouse) or protected for the first winter to put on some growth. Then establish them in the ground the second year. We don't get that cold around here so my experience with those type of cold temperatures is very limited.

[@theresahanalei9885]

@Bill Shorten

[@CoffeeCakeCrumble]

I would really like to give this a go, so I have a couple questions. If I am successful in rooting a dozen or so cuttings I will need somewhere to keep them in pots over winter. Will they have a stable enough root system to survive being outdoors all winter in fluctuating freezing temperatures? Or will they need to be brought indoors?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

It depends on your winters but normally if the parent plant can survive in your area without extra care the cuttings should do fine too. One thing you would would want to pay attention to is the potted plants drying out. It's easy to think in winter that they aren't growing and may not need watered but if a dry spell happens it could hurt the cuttings. I always prefer to leave the cuttings outdoors whenever possible. You may try adding a row cover over them for some addition protection if you feel the winter may be exceptionally harsh.

[@CoffeeCakeCrumble]

@@Growingthehomegarden Thanks for responding so quickly😎 Once this heat wave passes I'll get a flat set up and make arrangements to keep them on covered porch over winter so I can keep an eye on them.

[@Jjone009]

What types of sands your using??

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I've used a builder sand, paver sand, or kids play sand. All seem to do well.

[@hermantaylor4224]

What if you took cuttings that were 12”-24”? Would the process change?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

If you are doing ones that long I might lay them horizontally and try to get roots along the stem. I've not tried cuttings of that size. Generally I would cut it into 3 or 4 smaller cuttings.

[@francemifsud9223]

When the leaves will begin to come yellow, it means the plant is death?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

It probably does. They often will bronze in cold weather but if all the leaves are yellow it is unlikely the cutting will make it.

[@KatherineDellaRosa]

Did you say Peat moss In The bottom And then sand, and keep them moist, I what kind Of sand? I have sand for a sandbox for kids to play with. Is that okay? And Do I keep it in part shade and sun? Thanks for sharing.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Keep it in an area with at most dappled sunlight. You don't want the plants to get scorched in the sun but they do need a little light. I put peat in the bottom then sand on top. Play sand works great as would paver sand.

[@RustyBobbins]

How do you overwinter and how long before first repot?

[@RustyBobbins]

Op, just saw your reply explaining this to someone else. Hopefully I have success in my area, 7b in southeast Oklahoma. I have a very healthy vigorous boxwood hedge right beside my house and I’d love to propagate it to use for privacy on part of my property.

[@gregboshell4532]

The best time to take cutting for boxwoods is june and Sept.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

That's probably a good general rule but I think it can depend on what zone you are in and how much growth a plant has at that point. June in Canada will be much different from June in Texas. You have to adjust for the season and I generally look at the type of growth.

[@destinyforever]

Would this work with sweet tea olive shrubs as well?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Probably but I have not propagated sweet tea olive before.

[@kaholiachumi8737]

What is the right time for boxwood propagation.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Right now is a good time in my area. Generally look for the right type of foliage, not soft and floppy but not too much hardwood. First year growth is the best. Early summer cuttings will root well as will ones taken in fall.

[@kaholiachumi8737]

@@Growingthehomegarden thanks for the information. Our place is extremely hot during summer

[@elmormonteiro5780]

How soon can you transfer the boxwood cuttings to the ground where you want to plant it? Thanks.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I would recommend not putting the boxwood plants in the ground until the following season after it has gotten some good growth after rooting. If you pinch off the tips of the branches and encourage good lateral branching it will bush out faster and you'll have a small plant ready to plant out the following season. So for timeframe for these cuttings that I took in Spring 2020 I would consider planting them in the ground in Fall of 2021. I might plant out earlier depending on how much growth they put on. If the roots easily fill a pot with I would go ahead and put them in.

[@elmormonteiro5780]

Thank you very much for all the information. You have been so helpful.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You're welcome! Let me know how it goes. :)

[@colleenrose4910]

How do you over winter them?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Here in Tennessee I left them outdoors without any cover. A row cover cloth would help in cooler areas. In severe winter areas you may need to put them in a hoop house. I think though if they are normally hardy in your area they do not need much protection. A little is good because they are in pots and not in the insulated ground.

[@laurenmcdonald7086]

Trays with holes at the bottom or without?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I usually will use flats with no holes during rooting then switch to holes after roots are coming along.

[@Megan43210]

Can you propagate in water ?

[@Growingthehomegarden]

I haven't tried it with the boxwoods but I don't think they would work in water very well.

[@Bomond777]

🤠🆗👍

[@staciaallison5638]

am I able to take some cuttings now, pot them put them under lights? I would do this for the upcoming winter.

[@Growingthehomegarden]

You can but depending on your winters you may be able to leave them outdoors. In the spring they will root and grow.

[@staciaallison5638]

@@Growingthehomegarden Im in Illinois, zone 5b.

[@rajcha8976]

64 boxwood

[@alanchase7329]

$10 for a box? I pay 10 cents per box plant in Thailand.

[@cheritait8116]

Why didn't you update this to say what the success rate was from the tray of cuttings?... I found the part 2 video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGq8q6eAgMSgbdU

[@Growingthehomegarden]

Glad you found it! It was a pretty successful group of cuttings. I'll probably start some more soon.

[@mintheman7]

4x16=64 not 48