Sarcococca
Sarcococca confusa
Also called Sweet box and Christmas box
Garden plant · ShrubsYou will smell it before you see it — in January, from several metres away, from flowers so small you have to look for them. Put it beside a door and nowhere else.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full or partial shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 1.25 m tall · 1.25 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- China
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The fruit.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS says to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling it.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.