My Garden
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Invasive Status | Invasive Status | |
| Plant Type | Perennial plant | |
| Estimated Plant Lifespan | 20 years lifespan | |
| Toxic to humans | Toxic to humans | |
| Toxicity | Toxic to: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle | |
| Sun Requirements | 2-4 hours direct sunlight (Partial Shade) | |
| Pollination | Method: animal Notes: Euonymus fortunei is primarily pollinated by small insects, such as flies and bees, attracted to its inconspicuous greenish-white flowers. Manual pollination is not typically performed or necessary for landscape purposes. | |
| Watering Requirements | Method: top water Frequency: when soil is dry Notes: Euonymus fortunei prefers consistently moist but not waterlogged soil, especially during its establishment period. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch, reducing frequency in cooler months. | |
| Humidity Requirements | Level: moderate | |
| Care Instructions | Euonymus fortunei is generally low-maintenance. Pruning can be done to control its spread or shape, especially if grown as a vine or hedge. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. For variegated forms, prune back any all-green reversions to maintain the desired coloration, as these tend to be more vigorous and can overtake the variegated parts. Monitor regularly for scale insects, as they are a common and serious pest. | |
| Temperature Range | Min: -29°C Max: 35°C | |
| Alternative Names | wintercreeper, winter creeper, emerald and gold, climbing euonymus, EUOFOR, Euonymus kiautschovicus, Euonymus fortunei f coloratus, Euonymus fortunei f gracilis, Euonymus fortunei f picta, Euonymus fortunei f kewensis, Euonymus fortunei f minimus, Euonymus fortunei patens, climbing spindle |
Cultivars
Green Rocket
Tom Thumb 75mm Pot
Both Euonymus fortunei and Hedera helix are vigorous, evergreen groundcovers/vines that compete aggressively for light, water, and nutrients. Planting them together can lead to one outcompeting the other, potentially smothering smaller plants, and creating a monoculture due to their similar growth habits and ecological niches.
Vinca minor is another fast-growing evergreen groundcover that can spread widely. While attractive, it can compete with Euonymus fortunei for space and resources, especially in shared light and soil conditions, potentially leading to dense, intertwined growth that limits the health and spread of both if not managed.
Euonymus scale is one of the most serious pests. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting, and eventual death of leaves and stems. Small, white, elongated male scales and flat, oyster-shaped, dark brown female scales are found on stems and undersides of leaves. Heavy infestations can lead to significant dieback and plant death.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves. They feed by sucking sap, causing distorted, curled, or yellowed leaves. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold.
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Infested plants show fine webbing on leaves, stippling (tiny yellow or white dots on leaves), and bronzing or browning of foliage. Mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause severe defoliation if left unchecked.
Steps:
- Take 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) cuttings from the tips of healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring or early summer.
- Ensure each cutting has at least two to three sets of leaves.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone powder or gel.
- This encourages faster and more reliable root development.
- Prepare a well-draining potting mix, such as a blend of peat moss and perlite or sand.
- Make a hole in the center of the potting mix with a pencil or stick.
- Insert the treated end of the cutting into the hole, ensuring at least one node is buried below the soil surface.
- Gently firm the soil around the cutting.
- Water the cuttings thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
- Place the pot in a warm location with indirect light.
- To maintain humidity, you can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or dome, ensuring it doesn't touch the leaves.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Roots typically form within 4-8 weeks. You can gently tug on a cutting to check for resistance, indicating root development.
- Once rooted, gradually acclimate the young plants to less humid conditions before transplanting to larger pots or outdoors.
Neem Oil Spray
Effective organic broad-spectrum insecticide and fungicide. Controls aphids, spider mites, and can help deter scale insects by disrupting their life cycle. Use as a preventative or early treatment.
Insecticidal Soap
A natural pest control option that suffocates soft-bodied insects like aphids and spider mites. It has low toxicity to beneficial insects and mammals and leaves no harmful residues.
Horticultural Oil
Used to smother scale insects and other overwintering pests. Applied during dormant or growing seasons (summer oil) to coat and suffocate pests, including all life stages of scale.
Compost Tea
A natural liquid fertilizer that improves soil health, nutrient availability, and plant vigor, making plants more resilient to pest and disease pressures. Can be applied as a foliar spray or soil drench.
Slow-Release Organic Fertilizer
Provides a steady supply of nutrients, promoting healthy growth without excessive flushes of tender new growth that can attract pests. Supports overall plant health and resilience.