Japanese Spurge

About Japanese Spurge

This plant has leathery, evergreen dark green foliage with slightly indented margins. It reaches about 8 to 10 inches tall and bears tiny white male flowers. It spreads by rhizomes, eventually forming a mat at least 2 inches thick. Cultivars offer more compact form with smaller, finely toothed leaves (‘Green Carpet’) or glossy dark green leaves (‘Green Sheen’).
Noteworthy CharacteristicsA native of Japan, it is useful as a groundcover in a shrub border or in mass in the woodland garden. It may escape into lawns or nearby natural areas.
CareGrow in any soil, except very dry.
PropagationDivide in spring. Root softwood cuttings in early summer.
ProblemsLeaf spot, dieback, and stem rot. May be damaged by slugs and snails.
Like creeping myrtle, Pachysandra terminalis is a short (6 inches), evergreen ground cover for shade. Japanese spurge (zones 4 to 8) is considered a foliage plant. Although it does put out small, white flowers, they add little value. The leaves have a leathery feel and look that lends further interest to your property