The short answer

Quick Answer

Japanese Spurge thrives in full shade on most soils (pH 5.5-7), free-draining. Reaches 15 to 20cm tall. plant 25 to 30cm apart for ground cover. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering in May. Trim back occasionally to keep tidy

How: Shear off dead flower spikes. Lightly trim long shoots to keep dense

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Japan and China

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Pachysandra was introduced to Britain from Japan in 1882 and has been a stalwart of shade gardens ever since

Folklore: No significant folklore in the UK. The plant is more used in Japanese and Chinese gardens

Fun fact: Pachysandra is in the box family, which explains why the leaves look slightly like box leaves. The name comes from Greek 'pachys' meaning thick and 'andros' meaning man, referring to the thick stamens

Historical medicinal uses: No significant medicinal use

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees visit the flowers on warm days. Limited value compared to native plants [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 3 out of 10 Low. Provides evergreen shelter but offers little for native insects[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 9 out of 10 Flowers April to May. Glossy evergreen leaves year round[4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant with liriope, vinca and ferns in shade under trees

Pest control: Generally pest free. Watch for scale insects on stems

Common diseases and issues: Leaf spot, volutella blight, scale insects. See RHS leaf spot advice

Invasive note: Can be vigorous and spread beyond its allotted space in ideal conditions. Not invasive in the UK but should be edged annually

CGM care note

We plant pachysandra plugs in autumn or spring at 25 to 30cm apart, adding compost to the planting hole. It is slow to establish in the first year and needs watering in dry spells. Once established it forms dense mats that need no further care beyond an annual trim after flowering and an edge with a spade to keep it in bounds.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Japanese Spurge

How Japanese Spurge fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Hosta (Plantain Lily), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hydrangea, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hardy Garden Ferns, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Astilbe, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Japanese Spurge.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Japanese Spurge are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Japanese Spurge. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Pachysandra terminalis. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Buxaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Balthazar MV, Endress PK, Qiu YL (2000). Phylogenetic relationships in Buxaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 223(1-2), 1-17.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Buxaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, pruning, pest_control.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Japanese Spurge. The pollinator description above ("Bees visit the flowers on warm days. Limited value compared to native plants") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Low. Provides evergreen shelter but offers little for native insects") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Flowers April to May. Glossy evergreen leaves year round".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees visit the flowers on warm days. Limited value compared to native plants"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Japanese Spurge's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Low. Provides evergreen shelter but offers little for native insects") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Japanese Spurge. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Japanese Spurge's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Buxaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Japanese Spurge. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Japanese Spurge. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Japanese Spurge. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Japanese Spurge. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Japanese Spurge. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Japanese Spurge. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Japanese Spurge. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Japanese Spurge performs well locally

Towns where Japanese Spurge is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

View all areas we cover