Pachysandra

Sun

Partial to full shade. Avoid hot afternoon sun, which can bleach or scorch the leaves.

Water

Keep evenly moist while establishing. Established plants tolerate some dry shade, but need watering during prolonged drought, especially beneath trees.

Soil

Humus-rich, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic. Avoid waterlogged ground and very dry, compacted soil.

Height

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m)

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) or more over time; colonies continue spreading unless contained.

Flowers

Small upright spikes of creamy-white flowers in spring; flowers are less conspicuous than the foliage.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, dark green leaves with toothed upper edges, clustered near the shoot tips. Leaves may yellow in excessive sun or exposed winter conditions.

Growth

Slow initially, then moderate once established.

Care needed

Low

• Water new plants whenever the surface soil begins to dry; do not leave the roots waterlogged.
• Apply a thin layer of leaf mould or compost in spring, keeping it away from the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Water at soil level and remove fallen debris to reduce leaf and stem diseases.
• Check bed edges each year and dig out spreading underground stems before they reach neighbouring beds or woodland.

Pruning. In early spring, trim winter-damaged shoots back to healthy growth before new leaves expand. Thin crowded patches for airflow and remove diseased stems promptly, cleaning tools between cuts.

Early spring

Remove damaged foliage and inspect stems for brown lesions or dieback.

Spring

Plant or divide healthy clumps, then water thoroughly until new growth establishes.

Late spring

Apply a thin compost or leaf-mould mulch without burying the stems.

Summer

Water during prolonged dry spells and check yellowing patches for sun scorch, drought or disease.

Autumn

Lift runners crossing the bed boundary and clear thick accumulations of fallen leaves.

• Create a continuous evergreen carpet beneath established deciduous shrubs in a contained bed.
• Edge shaded paths with a low, consistent band of foliage.
• Combine with ferns and hostas for contrasting leaf shapes in a shaded courtyard.
• Underplant spring bulbs so their flowers rise above the foliage; avoid small, delicate bulbs that may be crowded out.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Japanese, Formal, Traditional, Green on green and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Hostas, Epimediums, Christmas fern, Japanese painted fern, Hellebores and Daffodils.

Wildlife: The small spring flowers attract some bees and other insects, and dense foliage provides low cover. In eastern North America, its ability to displace native woodland plants can outweigh these benefits.

• Volutella leaf and stem blight causes brown leaf patches and dying shoots: remove infected material, thin crowded growth and avoid overhead watering.
• Euonymus scale appears as small white or brown coverings on stems and leaves: prune heavily infested shoots and use a locally approved horticultural oil according to its label.
• Root rot causes wilting and collapse in wet soil: improve drainage and remove affected plants rather than watering more.
• Sun scorch or winter exposure causes yellow or brown foliage: provide shade and shelter, maintain moisture and trim damaged growth in spring.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is generally recognised as poisonous, but it is not an edible plant; eating substantial amounts may cause stomach upset.

Where it spreads. Spreads aggressively by underground stems and can escape into woodland. It is considered invasive in parts of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, including Pennsylvania and Virginia. Avoid planting beside natural woodland in these regions and check local guidance.

• Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)

  Leaves are generally matte and often mottled, rather than uniformly glossy green. It is deciduous or semi-evergreen and forms a slower-spreading patch.

• Dwarf sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis)

  Has narrower leaves with smooth edges, fragrant winter flowers and black fruits; pachysandra has toothed leaf tips and upright spring flower spikes.

Pachysandra comes from Greek words meaning thick and male, referring to the stout stamens, while terminalis refers to the flower spikes at the shoot tips.

Propagation. Divide healthy rooted clumps in spring or early autumn and replant promptly. Rooted sections of the spreading underground stems establish readily; softwood cuttings can also be taken in early summer.

Accepted botanical name

Pachysandra terminalis

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan and Sakhalin.

Measured

Soil pH 5.5 to 7.5. Average height 32 cm.

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