Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (Dwarf sweet box)

Other names: Dwarf Christmas box, Sarcococca humilis

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Variety or Cultivar

S. hookeriana var. humilis is a compact, suckering, evergreen shrub with erect shoots bearing oblong, glossy, dark green leaves and, in winter, clusters of fragrant, pink-flushed, white flowers followed by spherical, blue-black fruit.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
0.6 m	1 m	5-10 years
1 ft	3 ft	5-10 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

0.6 m

1 m

5-10 years

1 ft

3 ft

5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Chalky
Clay
Loamy
Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid
Alkaline
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Partial Shade
Full Shade

Aspect

East
West
South
North

Exposure

Sheltered

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Plant details

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade in a sheltered position. If soil remains moist during summer, it tolerates full sun. Tolerates pollution, drought, and neglect.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Ground Cover, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Woodland, Foliage only

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 3

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Suckering, Compact

Native to

Garden origin

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

Fragrance

Flowers are sweetly fragrant.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning and propagation

Pruning

Pruning group 8. After flowering, trim or prune back any shoots that spoil shape.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Pests and diseases

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Monthly care advice

Prune out unsightly shoots only (only when needed)

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant trees and shrubs in moist but well-drained soil (autumn)

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Sarcococca

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss this plant

Re: sarcococca

Anna Gannon

1281 0

Thanks Kathy! I shall follow your advice
Anna

Posted: Monday 28th of March 2011 10:33 PM

Re: sarcococca

Kathy N

1281 0

Hi, Anna,
Almost anything can be grown in a pot. The plant's size, habit, etc, however, will dictate how much work it involves. Fortunately, S. humilis is a dwarf plant so won't get too large. I assume yours is small right now? If so, pot it on into a container a little larger than it is now. Make sure it is regularly watered and feed, and pot out once it starts to outgrow its container. You'll probably do this a few times over the next few years until you reach the largest pot size you want to have. Once it is in its final container, you'll need to root prune every 3-4 years to make sure the plant doesn't get 'pot bound'. This entails lifting the entire shrub and removing no more than 1/3 of the rootball (less is better).
Kathy C

Posted: Monday 28th of March 2011 10:00 PM

sarcococca

Anna Gannon

1281 2

can you grow sarcococca humilis in a pot?

Posted: Saturday 26th of March 2011 12:01 AM Last reply: Saturday 29th of March 2025 04:25 PM

Poisonous berries?

Shoot User

12725 0

Thanks to Marissa and Nicola for their replies. I was asking because we just got a new Lab mix puppy, and she puts anything in sight (or on a plant!) in her mouth. I was unable to find a definitive answer, so I posted. I have seen no ill effects as yet, so all should be well!
Thanks

Posted: Wednesday 4th of February 2009 09:53 PM Last reply: Wednesday 4th of February 2009 09:53 PM

Not poisonous

Nicola

12725 0

Hi Frank. I have looked at a number of sources for you too and there is no warning about this plant being toxic in any way. Did your pet eat some? All the best Nicola

Posted: Tuesday 3rd of February 2009 06:24 PM Last reply: Tuesday 3rd of February 2009 06:24 PM

Poisonous berries?

Marissa Zoppellini

12725 0

Hi Frank, the RHS does not classify them as poisonous and I have not heard that they are although I am not sure that birds particularly go for the berries. Marissa

Posted: Tuesday 3rd of February 2009 02:52 PM Last reply: Tuesday 3rd of February 2009 03:51 PM