Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge)

Pachysandra terminalis

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9a Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Groundcover

Height or Length at Maturity: 8-12″

Width at Maturity: 2′ +
Spacing: 12-18″ apart for groundcover

Growth Habit / Form: Dense, Spreading, Low Growing

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White
Flower Type: Single

Flower Size: .5″
Flowering Period: Spring

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Sun Needs: Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered or Dappled Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 4.5 – 5.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Heavy Shade, Humidity, Insect

Description

Pachysandra, commonly called Japanese Spurge, is a highly attractive and extremely popular shade-loving evergreen ground cover that spreads quickly by rhizomes to form patches or a solid groundcover. In spring, spikes covered in small, subtly sweet white flowers rise above the dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. Pachysandra is deer and rabbit resistant, can survive a drought, and we’ve seen no major problems with pests or disease.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 8 to 12 inches tall and quickly spreading to 24 inches or more, Pachysandra is ideal for use as a large space groundcover. It works perfectly as a mulch substitute under the canopies of large shade trees, where not much else will grow. It also serves well to fill in around shrubs and trees in home foundation plantings, as a border along walkways and paths, or massed on shady slopes for erosion control. It will not sprawl or trail over walkways or other surfaces.

Suggested Spacing: 12-18″ apart for groundcover

How To Measure Square Feet of A Planting Area

Determining How Many Plants To Fill A Planting Area

Growing Preferences

Pachysandra is very easy to grow and very low maintenance when planted in the right environment. It adapts to many soil types but prefers a moist but well-drained acidic soil rich in organic matter. Plants will tolerate periods of dry soil. Pachysandra thrives in partial to full shade. Mid-afternoon sun will burn foliage. Applications of fertilizer containing iron and/or sulfur will promote deep green foliage.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts for how to plant, prune, fertilize and water Pachysandra plants.

How To Plant Pachysandra Plants

How To Measure Square Feet of A Planting Area

Determining How Many Plants To Fill A Planting Area

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These arrived beautiful. They were just right for where I wanted to plant them, and since its been raining here lately I am sure they will continue to grow very nicely.——————————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

We ordered two trays of Japanese Spurge to fill an area between the woods and our lawn. The plants arrived in excellent condition. We planted them within the week and they are now thriving. No problem.———————————————We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG