How to Grow Golden Euonymus - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Golden euonymus is a beautiful, easy-to-grow plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. With its glossy, golden-yellow leaves, it adds a splash of color to any landscape. Golden euonymus is also known as burning bush due to the fact that its leaves turn crimson in the fall. This makes it a great choice for adding fall interest to the garden.

How to Grow Golden Euonymus - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Spindle Tree
  • Wintercreeper
  • Burning Bush
  • Strawberry Bush
  • Purple Wintercreeper

Good to Know

  • Golden euonymus is a flowering plant in the family Celastraceae.
  • It is native to East Asia, ranging from China to Japan.
  • The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 3–6 m (8–17 ft) tall.
  • The leaves are opposite, elliptical to obovate, 3–7 cm (2–8 in) long and 5–5 cm (0.59–97 in) broad, with a serrated margin.
  • The flowers are small, greenish-white, borne in clusters 4–6 cm (6–4 in) diameter at the leaf axils.
  • The fruit is a two-lobed capsule 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long, containing two seeds.
  • Golden euonymus is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
  • It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial shade.
  • It is also tolerant of urban pollution.
  • It is classified as a weed in some areas.

Related plant:
Golden Duranta

Growing Steps

  1. For golden euonymus, first step is choose a proper planting location. It should be partial sun to partial shade.
  2. The second step is to prepare the planting hole. It should be twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
  3. The third step is to put some organic matter such as compost or manure in the planting hole.
  4. The fourth step is to position the plant in the planting hole and backfill around it with soil.
  5. The fifth step is to water the plant deeply and thoroughly.
  6. The sixth step is to mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
  7. The seventh step is to fertilize the plant regularly during the growing season.
  8. The eighth step is to prune the plant as needed to shape it and control its growth.
  9. The ninth step is to monitor the plant for pests and diseases and take action as needed.
  10. The tenth step is to enjoy your beautiful golden euonymus!

Related plant:
Golden Currant

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, golden euonymus does best in average to slightly acidic, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun to partial shade but can tolerate more shade, especially in hot summer climates. It is somewhat tolerant of drought but performs best with consistent moisture, especially when grown in full sun.

About light

Like the other euonymus species, the golden euonymus requires sun to thrive. It is best to plant this shrub in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. If possible, choose a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. This will help protect the leaves from scorching during the hot summer months.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of the golden euonymus is one that is moderate. This means that the plant should not be exposed to extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature range for the golden euonymus is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plant is exposed to temperatures outside of this range, it may experience problems with its growth.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. The plant can tolerate lower humidity but not for long periods of time. If the humidity drops below 40% for more than a few days, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Mentioning fertilizer, usually the plant food most associated with euonymus is a high-nitrogen fertilizer. However, when growing golden euonymus, it's best to use a fertilizer with less nitrogen and more phosphorus. This encourages root growth, which is important to the overall health of the plant. Golden euonymus is also tolerant of a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay. However, they prefer a soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic.

About light

Pruning is a crucial step in maintaining your golden euonymus plant. This evergreen shrub can become leggy and overgrown if left unpruned, and will not produce the beautiful, dense growth that you desire. The best time to prune your golden euonymus is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make clean cuts, and remove any dead or damaged branches. If you have never pruned before, it is best to start with just a light trimming, removing only a few inches from the tips of the branches. With proper pruning, your golden euonymus will thrive and provide you with years of enjoyment.

The Propagation

Propagation of golden euonymus is typically done through rooting stem cuttings taken from the tips of new growth. The cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants and should be approximately 4-6 inches long. They can be rooted in either perlite or sand, and should be kept moist but not wet. Rooting hormone can be applied to the cuttings to encourage root development. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into pots or into the landscape.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is considered fast when compared to other shrubs. In general, they can grow up to 24 inches per year. However, there are many variables that can affect a plant's growth rate, such as the type of soil, amount of sunlight, and amount of water.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale, leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, and stem canker. Most of these problems can be controlled with the use of fungicides and insecticides. However, root rot can be difficult to control and may require the removal of the affected plant.

Growing Tips

  • Make sure to plant your golden euonymus in an area that receives full sun.
  • Golden euonymus prefer well-drained soil.
  • When planting, dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball.
  • Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter.
  • Water your golden euonymus deeply and regularly, especially during the first growing season.
  • Fertilize your plant in early spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your plant annually to encourage new growth and to maintain its shape.
  • Protect your plant from cold winter temperatures by wrapping it in burlap or other fabric.
  • Bring container-grown plants indoors to overwinter.
  • Watch for common pests and diseases, such as aphids, scale, and powdery mildew.

Alternative Plants

  • Golden euonymus is referred to as Evergreen Wintercreeper, as it is an evergreen.
  • Burning bush is a plant in the same plant family as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The Spindle Tree is in the same genus as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The Strawberry Tree is in the same family as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The American Bittersweet is in the same genus as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The Winged Euonymus is in the same genus as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The European Bittersweet is in the same genus as the golden euonymus, Euonymus.
  • The Japanese Spurge is in the same genus as the golden euonymus, Euonym

Source:
Emerald 'n Gold Euonymus - Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n Gold…
Euonymus Scale - Penn State Extension
Euonymus, Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei)-Hort Answers

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