Japanese pachysandra

Japanese pachysandra Care

Pachysandra terminalis

Other names: Japanese Pachysandra, Green Carpet, Carpet Box

What is the plant

Pachysandra terminalis, the Japanese pachysandra, carpet box or Japanese spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the boxwood family Buxaceae, native to Japan, Korea and China and introduced to eastern North America.

Plant taxonomy classifies Japanese pachysandra, also called "Japanese spurge," as Pachysandra terminalis and as belonging to the boxwood family. These widely grown plants are evergreen perennials. They are herbaceous in the sense that they lack woody stems, but their foliage does not die back in winter, it merely yellows a bit. In terms of usage, Japanese pachysandra plants are classified as ground covers. Wider (12 inches) than it is tall (6 inches), this ground cover produces white flowers in spring but is grown primarily for its leathery, dark-green leaves. But there are many plants with the common name of "spurge" that are not related to Japanese pachysandra, especially plants in the Euphorbia genus that are useful in rock gardens.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

8°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

min 4a

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Once established, Pachysandra is quite drought tolerant, but the plant prefers slightly moist well-draining soil. Excessively wet, soggy soil will cause root rot and will predispose the plant to contracting other diseases. For the most part, Japanese Spurge should do well with natural rainfall. During extended dry spells, water deeply, occasionally.
Fertilizer
Once your plants are established, they will need little or no fertilizer. Young plants like an annual springtime feeding using a slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer. Alternately, organic plant food could be used. Look for fertilizer containing sulfur or iron to promote deep greening. You could also supplement with sulfur or iron applied on their own as a way of increasing soil acidity, which these plants appreciate.
Sunlight
This foliage plant is best grown in partial to full shade. Morning sun is fine, but too much sun will cause the foliage to bleach out, especially in the winter.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Japanese Spurge is tolerant of all sorts of soil, even clay. It prefers a slightly moist, well-draining, acidic soil amended with ample amounts of organic matter.
Temperature
The shrub can be grown in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of -34.4°C (-30°F).
Popularity
816 people already have this plant 228 people have added this plant to their wishlists