How far apart should I plant Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?

About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).

Does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) need full sun?

Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?

It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.

When does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) flower?

From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Japanese spurge (pachysandra) poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Contains steroidal alkaloids; toxicity to people and pets is not well documented, so avoid ingestion.

What grows well with Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Japanese spurge (pachysandra). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).

Japanese spurge (pachysandra) Pachysandra terminalis

Japanese spurge (pachysandra) (Pachysandra terminalis) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Buxaceae family, native to Japan and eastern China. It grows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.

Plan Japanese spurge (pachysandra) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Japanese spurge (pachysandra) at a glance

Type	Perennial groundcover, evergreen
Family	Buxaceae
Mature height	15–25 cm (6–10 in)
Mature spread	30–60 cm (12–24 in)
Spacing	25 cm (10 in) centre to centre
Sun	Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4)
Heat stress	Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F)
Flowering	from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Japan and eastern China
Common in gardens of	🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States
Invasive in	US (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states; escapes into woodlands): check local rules before planting

Is Japanese spurge (pachysandra) toxic?

People: not well documented
Cats: not well documented
Dogs: not well documented

Contains steroidal alkaloids; toxicity to people and pets is not well documented, so avoid ingestion.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Japanese spurge (pachysandra)

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.

Keep apart or take care

caution With Boxwood: Pachysandra and boxwood are both hosts of boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata), so the pathogen can move between them; avoid planting pachysandra under or beside boxwood where the disease occurs. Evidence B

Shared pests and diseases

Box blight: Calonectria box blight also infects pachysandra and sarcococca. Evidence B

Questions about Japanese spurge (pachysandra)

How far apart should I plant Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?: About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
Does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) need full sun?: Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?: It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
When does Japanese spurge (pachysandra) flower?: From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Japanese spurge (pachysandra) poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Contains steroidal alkaloids; toxicity to people and pets is not well documented, so avoid ingestion.
What grows well with Japanese spurge (pachysandra)?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Japanese spurge (pachysandra). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Susceptible to Volutella leaf blight and to boxwood blight (Calonectria); avoid planting beside boxwood in blight areas.
Not a good choice where it can reach natural woodland.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
Himalayan sweet box (Christmas box) Sarcococca hookeriana
Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
Hosta Hosta spp.
Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
Lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis