Shrub · Celastraceae family
Japanese euonymus
Euonymus japonicus
In short a 10-second read
Japanese euonymus (shrub) grows to 3–4.5 m tall and 1.5–2.4 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in June; the flowers are green. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 1.5–2.4 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, loamy, sandy, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June · green
Pruning
remove dead and damaged growth (as needed)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese euonymus flower?
In June; the flowers are green.
Does Japanese euonymus tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese euonymus need?
At maturity 1.5–2.4 m wide and 3–4.5 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does Japanese euonymus survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (14)
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Euonymus japonicus
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Euonymus japonicus
- Záhradníctvo Iveta (SK) — Aureomarginatus Euonymus japonicus bršlen
- GBIF — Euonymus japonicus
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- RHS - Euonymus japonicus
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning evergreens
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
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