Plant DetailShow Menu

Spindle Tree Euonymus japonicus

Phonetic Spelling
yoo-ON-ih-mus juh-PON-ih-kus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Japanese euonymus is a dense, oval, woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family. It typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide, but if left alone it can reach 26 feet in height. The plant is native to Korea and Japan to Nansei-shoto. It can be found in forest or in natural areas in mixed deciduous forests and low woodlands, and especially near the sea in Japan.  

Japanese euonymus tolerates full sun and heavy shade, but does best in sun-dappled conditions with some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. It is pH adaptable and will grow in most soils, including clay, but does not do well in wet conditions. It is black walnut, drought, and moderately salt spray tolerant, and can withstand heavy pruning. Propagate by seed or stem cutting.

This plant makes an excellent hedge or border. Site it in a naturalized area or woodland, or in an Asian or drought-tolerant garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to euonymus scale and is frequently damaged by deer. Powdery mildew can be a problem, as can mites, leaf miners, aphids, mealybugs, and crown gall. Additional diseases which may appear include witches’ broom, stem dieback, and fungal leaf spots. Plants can be susceptible to attacks by caterpillars and are often damaged during the flowering season. It can also become weedy in disturbed areas around houses and buildings.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Euonymus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Deck Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Aureomarginatus' Plant
    Variegated leaves with yellow margins. 5 to 10 feet tall.
  • 'Aureus'
  • 'Green Spire'
    Narrow, columnar selection, up to 8 feet tall with a 2 foot spread, densely covered in dark green, glossy leaves.
  • 'Microphyllus'
    dwarf variety, used for edging, border (2 to 3' height)
  • 'Microphyllus Pulchellus'
    Green leaves with yellow margins that bleed into the green center.
  • 'Microphyllus Variegatus'
    Green leaves with white margins.
  • 'Rykukjo'
    Miniature cultivar (leaves to 1/2 long), dense foliage on 6 to 8 inch stems.
'Aureomarginatus', 'Aureus', 'Green Spire', 'Microphyllus', 'Microphyllus Pulchellus', 'Microphyllus Variegatus', 'Rykukjo'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#poisonous#drought tolerant#shrub#salt tolerant#fantz#poisonous if ingested#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
    'Aureomarginatus' Plant
    Variegated leaves with yellow margins. 5 to 10 feet tall.
  • 'Aureus'
  • 'Green Spire'
    Narrow, columnar selection, up to 8 feet tall with a 2 foot spread, densely covered in dark green, glossy leaves.
  • 'Microphyllus'
    dwarf variety, used for edging, border (2 to 3' height)
  • 'Microphyllus Pulchellus'
    Green leaves with yellow margins that bleed into the green center.
  • 'Microphyllus Variegatus'
    Green leaves with white margins.
  • 'Rykukjo'
    Miniature cultivar (leaves to 1/2 long), dense foliage on 6 to 8 inch stems.
'Aureomarginatus', 'Aureus', 'Green Spire', 'Microphyllus', 'Microphyllus Pulchellus', 'Microphyllus Variegatus', 'Rykukjo'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#poisonous#drought tolerant#shrub#salt tolerant#fantz#poisonous if ingested#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euonymus
    Species:
    japonicus
    Family:
    Celastraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea, Japan to Nansei-shoto
    Distribution:
    Naturalized in southern Europe.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    drought tolerant, slightly salt tolerant
    Edibility:
    Toxic if eaten in large quantities.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Mounding
    Oval
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a reddish, pink, ivory to yellow capsule, splitting and showing orange-red seeds. The 4-valved capsule is globose, pink, 1/3 of an inch long with white seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, 4-parted flowers in greenish maroon blossom in early summer. Noted for its vinegary smell. Axillary cymes (adult form).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Waxy, lustrous, dark green leaves; thin and leathery, 1 to 3 inches long are produced year round. Acute, cuneate, serrulate, lustrous dark green above and lighter below, thinly coriaceous. Variegated cultivars have a tendency to revert to green.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stem has small dark glandular dot on each side petiole.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, chills, coma, and convulsions when consumed in large quantities.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems