Japanese Spurge, also known by its botanical name *Pachysandra terminalis*, is a low-growing, evergreen groundcover that usually tops out at about 8 to 12 inches tall. If you plant it under trees or shrubs, this hardy little plant is almost completely “set it and forget it.” However, every once in a while, a little trim might be necessary to keep it looking its best.
Pruning Your Pachysandra
You rarely *have* to prune Japanese Spurge, but if you decide to grab the shears, don’t worry—you really can’t mess it up. This plant is incredibly resilient and handles pruning like a champ at any time of year. That said, the absolute best time for a haircut is between April and May, right after the flowering period is over. Here are a few reasons you might want to prune:
- The plants have completely lost their shape.
- You’ve got too many long, leggy shoots.
- It’s spreading where it’s not wanted (in this case, you’ll need to pull up the roots too).
- Disease issues—excessive moisture can sometimes lead to fungal outbreaks.
- You see dead, dry, or bare stems.
- To encourage bushier growth in young plants by pinching off the tips.
If you’re just tidying up a few stray stems, a sharp, clean pair of hand pruners is all you need. If you’re tackling a large area, hedge shears work great. Believe it or not, Japanese Spurge can even handle a “radical” pruning with a lawnmower—just make sure it’s set to the highest setting. One important tip: always wear gardening gloves when handling it, as the plant is toxic. Be sure to dispose of the clippings right away so curious pets don’t decide to take a nibble.
Keeping Aggressive Growth in Check
When Japanese Spurge is happy in its spot, it grows fast! If it starts creeping out of its designated area and taking over the rest of your garden, you’ll need to step in. Cut back the unwanted runners, making sure to dig out the roots as well. Luckily, they have shallow root systems, so they’re easy to pop out with a spade. And hey, if you have another bare spot in your yard, you can take those uprooted runners and replant them elsewhere to start a new patch!
