Perennial · Buxaceae family
Japanese spurge
Pachysandra terminalis
In short a 10-second read
Japanese spurge (perennial) grows to 0.15–0.3 m tall and 0.3–0.46 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are white. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.46 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, 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 2–5 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
April–May · white
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °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 spurge flower?
In April–May; the flowers are white.
Does Japanese spurge tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does Japanese spurge need?
At maturity 0.3–0.46 m wide and 0.15–0.3 m tall; recommended spacing 33 cm.
Does Japanese spurge survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (14)
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- Bamberger Staudengarten, katalóg
- Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
- RHS Plant Finder (Hardiness, Soil Types)
- Wikidata (CC0) — Pachysandra terminalis
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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