Japanese euonymus

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; variegated forms usually colour best with several hours of sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds near its hardiness limit.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but benefit from deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained soil, including sandy, loamy or clay soils that do not remain waterlogged; tolerates a broad pH range and coastal salt exposure.

Height

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m) unpruned; compact cultivars remain much smaller

Spread

6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) unpruned

Flowers

Small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers in early summer; occasional pinkish fruits open to reveal orange-coated seeds.

Foliage

Evergreen. Opposite, leathery, glossy dark green leaves with finely toothed margins. Cultivars may have cream, white or yellow markings.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   4 ft (1.2 m)

3. After 2 years

   6 ft (1.8 m)

4. After 3 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   12 ft (3.8 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Invasive in

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Inspect leaf undersides and stems regularly for scale insects, especially on crowded hedges.
• Remove fully green shoots from variegated plants at their point of origin.

Pruning. Prune in spring after the risk of severe frost has passed, removing dead or damaged growth and shortening stems to shape. Clip hedges lightly again in early to midsummer if needed, keeping the base wider than the top and avoiding late-season hard pruning.

Spring

Plant when the soil is workable, water thoroughly and mulch around the root zone.

Mid-spring

Remove winter-damaged growth and prune established shrubs to shape.

Late spring

Check stems and leaf undersides for scale; treat crawler stages with a locally approved product if needed.

Early summer

Lightly clip hedges and remove green reversions from variegated plants.

Summer

Water during prolonged dry weather and check dense growth for mildew and scale.

Autumn

Plant in mild regions, clear fallen diseased leaves and avoid pruning that encourages soft new growth.

Winter

Check exposed plants for wind scorch and water container plants during frost-free dry spells.

• Clip into evergreen boundary hedges or screens where year-round privacy is needed.
• Use compact cultivars as low edging around formal beds and paths.
• Place variegated forms against dark fencing or green foliage to create contrast.
• Grow compact forms in large, well-drained containers beside entrances.
• Combine with coastal shrubs and ornamental grasses for a wind-tolerant planting.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, Topiary garden, Coastal, Urban city garden, Japanese and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Japanese pittosporum, New Zealand flax, Lilyturf, Japanese sedge, Shrub roses and Lavender.

Wildlife: The small flowers attract visiting insects, and birds may eat the orange-coated seeds and disperse them. Dense foliage provides shelter, but this is not a native wildlife shrub in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Australia.

• Euonymus scale causes yellow spotting, leaf loss and crusty white or brown insects on stems and leaves. Prune out badly infested growth and target newly hatched crawlers with horticultural oil or another locally approved treatment; follow label precautions.
• Powdery mildew produces white patches on leaves, especially in crowded growth. Thin congested stems, improve airflow and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
• Root rot and decline follow prolonged waterlogging. Improve drainage or move the plant; do not keep the root zone constantly wet.
• Winter wind scorch browns exposed leaves. Choose a sheltered site, mulch the root zone and wait until spring to assess damaged stems before pruning.

Toxic if eaten by people, cats, dogs and horses. All parts should be treated as poisonous, especially the fruits and seeds. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; substantial amounts may cause more serious poisoning. Seek medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.

Where it spreads. Reported as an environmental weed in parts of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, where escaped plants can establish in bushland. Check local weed guidance before planting near natural vegetation.

• Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

  Usually creeps across the ground or climbs using aerial roots, whereas Japanese euonymus normally forms a self-supporting upright shrub.

• Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)

  Has smooth-edged leaves clustered toward shoot tips and conspicuous, fragrant creamy-white flowers; Japanese euonymus has opposite leaves with finely toothed edges.

• Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

  Has alternate rather than opposite leaves and produces black berries. Its leaves are generally smaller and more rounded.

The species name japonicus means 'Japanese', referring to Japan within its native East Asian range.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Cuttings preserve cultivar markings; seedlings may differ from the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Euonymus japonicus

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Japan, Korea and Nansei-shoto.

Measured

Soil pH 5 to 7.5. Average height 475 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.