Sometimes there are plants that you discover by chance and which delight you. The snowrose (Buchozia japonica) is a plant that came across my path and that I bought on a whim (which I don’t recommend), without knowing how to care for it (which I don’t recommend either). Fortunately, it was a wonderful discovery, with a dense habit and a tendency to branch easily. On a more subjective level, its little branches topped with tiny dark-green leaves have a charming je-ne-sais-quoi about them.
Origin of Buchozia japonica
Buchozia japonica comes from Southeast Asia, growing first in India, China and Japan. It is known by many rather poetic names: Tree of a Thousand Stars or Snowrose, but also by a range of old botanical names. Indeed, until December 2023, it was known as Serissa japonica, after having been known as S. foetida, S. democritea, S. crassiramea, S. kawakamii, Buchozia coprosmoides, Leptodermis nervosa, L. venosa, Dysoda fasciculata, Democritea serissoides, and so on. Nothing less!
From the Rubiaceae family, Buchozia japonica (its current official name) is the only species in the Buchozia genus. The adjective foetida often associated with its name comes from the fact that the leaves, when crushed, give off a fetid odour resembling that of vomit (I did the test and it’s quite true!).
Description
B. japonica is an evergreen shrub 45 to 60 centimeters (18-24 inches) tall in tropical climates, losing its leaves in subtropical climates where temperatures drop. It is appreciated for its dense growth, producing numerous branches generously furnished with small oval leaves. With age, its trunk becomes covered with pale bark. In its native land, it flowers from early spring to early autumn. A plethora of mini pink buds give rise to miniature (approx. 1 cm, 1/2 inch), mostly white, funnel-shaped flowers with 4 or 6 star-like corollas. Although the flowers are small and have a limited lifespan, they are an added attraction for the snowrose, due to their quantity and the speed with which they follow one another on new shoots, for almost continuous flowering under the right conditions.
Varieties
There are various cultivars of B. japonica. Some have slightly variegated white or lime-green foliage, sometimes more intensely so on new growth. These cultivars require more light and tend to flower more timidly. Other cultivars are distinguished by their flower color (pink) or shape (single, double or semi-double). Some are reputed to tolerate inadequate cultivation more easily, an attraction especially for bonsai enthusiasts, as buchozias are very often sold as bonsai – and we know that bonsai require rigorous care.
Growing tips
Light
Buchozias thrive in the brightest spot in the house, with direct sunlight if possible. When placed outside (especially in summer), a spot in partial shade may be sufficient (it’s always brighter outside, even in the shade). As an indoor plant, however, it is unthinkable to grow B. japonica in a shady spot.
Watering
Water when the soil begins to dry out very slightly. Hanging leaves mean the plant needs watering. If the drought persists, B. japonica will start to lose several leaves at a time, but these will grow back after a few weeks.
Atmospheric Humidity
B. japonica prefers increased atmospheric humidity at all times: it may be necessary to place it in a transparent bag during the driest months (winter) or next to a humidifier. Its humidity requirements (40-50%) are relatively easy to meet in other seasons.
Potting, Soil and Fertilizer
A draining potting soil for houseplants is ideal for this plant.
It can be fertilized at the recommended rate during the growing season.
Temperature
Buchozia prefers a temperature above 20°C (68°F) during its growth period, which corresponds to the warm, stable temperatures found in the home. During its resting period, it prefers temperatures between 10°C (50°F) and 20°C (68°F). It can tolerate temperatures of around 5°C (41°F) for short periods, but will eventually be damaged in the long term.
Maintenance
Since buchozias produce a lot of leaves, it’s also important to remove the many leaves it sheds.
Pruning to stimulate branching allows you to give it the shape you want. It branches without too much difficulty.
What about bonsai? Although B. japonica is frequently sold as a bonsai and can easily be kept alive in this form, this doesn’t make it a bonsai to recommend for beginners. It is often described as capricious, especially when it comes to watering, losing its leaves at the slightest surplus or lack of water. It doesn’t like change or having to adapt to new situations: changes in light, changes in temperature, lack of humidity, heating, and so on. If you’re interested in bonsai, read this article.
Propagation
Stem cuttings that are not yet covered with bark will root more easily in water than in potting soil. It may be beneficial to place said cuttings on a warming tray and in a greenhouse to maintain a warm, moist atmosphere.
Problems
- Massive leaf drop: like many other plants (weeping fig, croton, etc.), B. japonica dreads changes that require it to acclimatize, so it begins to shed all its leaves. It is therefore normal to see this phenomenon after a transplant, a move around the house or during a sudden reduction in light. It can then be treated as a croton in decline.
- Sad, drooping leaves: lack of watering. If the potting soil is dry, water for about 30 minutes in a basin. If the potting soil is damp, the plant may be rotten and will be more difficult to rescue.
- No flowering: lack of light. You need a lot of light to produce flowers. Buchozias already require a lot of light in general, but they need even more to achieve abundant flowering. Cultivars with variegated foliage are not guaranteed to flower, and even if they do, they do so much more timidly. You can try to stimulate flowering by increasing light. Remember: we often overestimate the brightness of the interior of our home for plants, whereas most of the time there isn’t enough light! To increase light, there are various options: gradually move the plant closer to the window that offers the most direct sunlight, invest in a grow lamp or – my personal favorite – take the plant outside in summer (in the case of B. japonica, when stable night-time temperatures of at least 10°C, 50°F, arrive on our doorstep). In this respect, gradual removal is also recommended.
- Insects: aphids (foliage, roots), spider mites, scale insects of all kinds.
- Diseases: B. japonica is not particularly prone to disease, although it can occur.
For the record…
I don’t know if you should listen to my advice about this plant, because while I was writing this article, my buchozia… died! In fact, I had to water it more than twice a week because its pot was so small. So I repotted it ( first shock) and from then on it couldn’t stand on my windowsill, its usual spot. So I moved it away (second shock). It began to lose its leaves, like a morbid rain on the plants below it. I tried to put it in a transparent plastic bag, to create a greenhouse effect increasing humidity (third shock), but I had to move it from where it was so it wouldn’t be burnt by the direct morning sun (fourth shock). When he didn’t rise from the ashes, I tried to put him outside* (fifth shock).
He didn’t acclimatize.
Well, it happens – there’s a reason the difficulty is rated medium! And for those of you who are familiar with a story like this, don’t worry: everyone who writes for this blog have already killed their share of plants. It’s one of the realities that binds us all, whether we’re dilettante or experienced gardeners.
*I wrote this article in May, just when we’re starting to think about taking our plants outside.
Toxicity
B. japonica is not toxic, even if the smell of its crushed leaves and roots is disgusting.
Purchasing Tips
It’s sold as a small houseplant, so you can follow the general advice in this article.
You don’t need to read 8 complex bonsai books to care for Buchozia japonica as a houseplant: given reasonable humidity and avoiding radical changes, it becomes a pretty plant with delicate blooms and elegant foliage to grace a sunny corner. Despite its naturally dense growth and easy-to-induce branching, it’s a less common plant – but for me, it was a lovely chance discovery!
And a… brief experience.
I appreciate the information on establishing an indoor water basin and knowing which plants thrive in low light. Dwarf papyrus and aquarium plants like anubias and Java moss are new to my plant arrangements, and I’m excited to learn about their care. Thank you for your informative post!
Always interested in hearing about an unusual retail plant. Thanks.