How to Grow Japanese Euonymus - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Japanese euonymus is a small to medium sized shrub that is native to East Asia. It is also known as spindle or burning bush. The plant has glossy green leaves and its branches can be either deciduous or evergreen. The japanese euonymus is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.

How to Grow Japanese Euonymus - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • Japanese spindle
  • Painted euonymus
  • Wintercreeper euonymus
  • Burning bush
  • Wahoo

Basic info

  • Japanese euonymus is a species of flowering plant in the Staff vine family.
  • It is native to Japan, Korea, and China.
  • The plant is also known as spindle tree, Japanese spindle, or Korean spindle.
  • It grows to a height of 15-20 meters.
  • The leaves are opposite, oblong-elliptic, and 7-12 cm long.
  • The flowers are small, greenish-white, and borne in clusters.
  • The fruit is a small, reddish-brown capsule.
  • The plant is commonly used as an ornamental.
  • It is also used in traditional medicine.
  • Some cultivars of Japanese euonymus are susceptible to a fungal disease known as euonymus scale.

Related plant:
Japanese Azalea Orange

Growing Steps

  1. For japanese euonymus, first step is to find a good location. A location that has good drainage and gets enough sunlight is ideal.
  2. Prepare the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or manure.
  3. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the plant’s root ball.
  4. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil.
  5. Water the plant deeply.
  6. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
  7. Fertilize the plant twice a year with a balanced fertilizer.
  8. Prune the plant as necessary to keep it shapely.
  9. Watch for pests and diseases and treat accordingly.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful japanese euonymus!

Related plant:
Compact Japanese Holly

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, the best type for Japanese Euonymus is moist, well-drained soil. It does not like to sit in wet, mucky soil. In fact, it will start to decline and show signs of stress if the roots sit in water for too long. If you have an area that tends to be wet or flooded, you may want to consider planting this shrub in a raised bed to ensure that the roots stay dry. Japanese Euonymus is not particular about soil type and will even do well in sandy or clay soil as long as it is well-drained.

Light requirement

Similar to other plants, Japanese euonymus requires sunlight to grow. However, it can tolerate shade more than most other plants. If you are growing Japanese euonymus indoors, make sure to place it near a window that gets direct sunlight.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition for a Japanese euonymus is pretty simple: it needs to be warm. This means that it does best in areas that do not experience extreme fluctuations in temperature, such as close to the equator. Additionally, the plant does not like to be in direct sunlight, so it is important to provide some shade if you live in a particularly sunny area.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or less. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn yellow and will eventually drop off. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will become dry and brittle.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this type of plant does best with a organic fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. The amount of fertilizer needed will depend on the type of japanese euonymus, the age of the plant, and the time of year. For example, younger plants will need more fertilizer than older plants. It is important to fertilize japanese euonymus during the growing season, which is typically from spring to fall. However, the specific fertilizer requirements will vary depending on the plant. Therefore, it is best to consult with a nursery or a gardening expert to get specific fertilizer recommendations. When it comes to the roots of a japanese euonymus, it is important to keep them moist but not wet. This means that the soil should be evenly moistened, but not soaked. To help with drainage, it is a good idea to add organic matter to the soil, such as compost. It is also important to Mulch around the base of the plant to help with moisture retention.

Light requirement

Pruning your japanese euonymus is an important step in keeping your plant healthy and looking its best. Pruning not only helps to control the plant's growth, but also shapes the plant and encourages new growth. When pruning your japanese euonymus, be sure to: - Use sharp, clean pruning shears. - Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves, stems, or branches. - Cut back any long, leggy branches. - Trim back any branches that are crowding or Rubbing against other branches. - Cut back any branches that are growing too far out of shape.

About Propagating

Propagation of japanese euonymus is typically done by rooting stem cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plant material. Select a stem that is about the thickness of a pencil and cut it into 4-6 inch pieces. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot filled with well-drained, sterile potting mix. Keep the cutting moist and in a bright, indirect light until roots have formed. Once roots have formed and the plant is actively growing, it can be transplanted to a permanent location.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is relatively slow when compared to other plants. It can take this species several years to reach its full potential size. Once fully grown, japanese euonymus typically reaches between 3 and 6 feet in height. While this may seem like a rather slow growth rate, japanese euonymus is actually quite versatile and can be used in a number of ways in the landscape.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. These problems are caused by different fungi and bacteria. Powdery mildew is a white powdery growth on the leaves and stems. Leaf spot is brown or black spots on the leaves. Root rot is a brown or black rot of the roots.

Tips on Growing

  • Remember to plant your Japanese euonymus in well-draining soil.
  • Place your plant in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
  • Water your plant regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
  • Fertilize your plant every few weeks using a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your plant as needed to keep it growing in a bushy, compact form.
  • If your plant becomes leggy, you can rejuvenate it by cutting it back hard in early spring.
  • To prevent your plant from becoming overgrown, you may need to pinch back the tips of the stems occasionally.
  • Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases, such as aphids, scale, and powdery mildew.
  • If you live in an area with harsh winters, you may need to provide some extra protection for your plant, such as

You May Like

  • Euonymus luariensis luariensis normally grow at the angle of rock
  • Euonymus vounii normally grow at shaded areas, at the forest edge
  • Euonymus bungeanus normally grow at forest edges
  • Euonymus coccineus v Shrubfrutex climbers. Genus Not as well as text books will tell you
  • Euonymus platyphyllus- deciduous shrub. Genus 3-2m
  • This article help people to find and search about japanese euonymus, similar of Euonymus fortunei harlequin, related with euonymus, japanese euonymus

Source:
Euonymus japonica - University of Florida
Japanese Euonymus - courses.missouristate.edu
Pests of Euonymus | NC State Extension Publications

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Creepers Category