How much sun does Common Boxwood need?

Common Boxwood grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Common Boxwood bloom?

Common Boxwood blooms in April.

Is Common Boxwood toxic to dogs?

Yes. Common Boxwood is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Common Boxwood toxic to cats?

Yes. Common Boxwood is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Common Boxwood HOA-friendly?

Common Boxwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Common Boxwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Buxus sempervirens

Last reviewed: August 2026

Common Boxwood is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–96" H × 24"–72" W

Bloom

Apr

Native alternatives to Common Boxwood

Common Boxwood is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 446 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

A dense evergreen shrub with small glossy leaves, used for low hedges, edging, and clipped forms. It takes shearing well and holds a shape year round. Boxwood blight and leafminer are the main concerns.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Boxwood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 5 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation bed, border.

Wildlife value

Grown as an ornamental. Non-native plants support far fewer local insects than a native of similar size, so treat this as garden interest rather than habitat.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Boxwood need?: Common Boxwood grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Common Boxwood bloom?: Common Boxwood blooms in April.
Is Common Boxwood toxic to dogs?: Yes. Common Boxwood is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Common Boxwood toxic to cats?: Yes. Common Boxwood is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Common Boxwood HOA-friendly?: Common Boxwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Common Boxwood and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz