Japanese spurge or Pachysandra is a broadleaf evergreen, herbaceous perennial or ground cover in the boxwood family (Buxaceae). Native to Japan and northern central China, it grows 6 to 12 inches high and 12 to 18 inches wide. Pachysandra does best in part shade to full shade and is intolerant of full sun as foliage bleaches in full sun or high wind. It thrives in the sun-dappled shade that large trees provide. Even though pachysandra can tolerate drought conditions, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soils that have high organic matter and are well drained. This plant is often utilized as ground cover. Establishing a ground cover takes about three years in suitable climates when new plantings are spaced 6 to 12 inches apart. If pachysandra has experienced problems with leaf blight, plant thinning is recommended to promote good air circulation. Additionally, overhead watering should be avoided. Pachysandra blooms in early spring and is a very common ground cover that spreads by rhizomes to form large colonies beneath trees or shady areas. It helps control erosion on slopes and banks. It also works well as a border or foundation planting. Include it in a children’s garden or recreational play area. Diseases, Insects and Other Plant Problems: Pachysandra is susceptible to leaf blight, root rot and euonymus scale. It can spread aggressively and is difficult to remove. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate; Ovate; Rhomboidal
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves (2 to 4 inches long) are alternate, simple, obovate to oblong-rhombic to oblong-ovate, dentate, cuneate, and are 3-nerved at the base. Leaves are clustered at upright shoot tip and appear to be whorled.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are small, inconspicuous, and apetalous. Stamens are dull white. Inflorescence is an upright spike at shoot end at the center of leaves and are 1-2" in size.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
White
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are a berry-like drupe, whitish in color, and less than an inch in size. Fruits are rarely seen.
Bark detail
True bark does not develop.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems are decumbent, greenish, and glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan and North Central China
Wildlife value
Attracts bees.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Fragrance
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Drupe
Uses (ethnobotany)
groundcover
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Recreational Play Area; Slope/Bank