Stay close to nature by bringing nature’s beauty to your home. You can do that by developing a green corner in your house. A green corner may be a garden, a terrace, or any other appropriate space in your house that can be filled with plants and trees. Consider decorating your home with the Euonymus japonicus plant.
Euonymus japonicus is a flowering plant that is used for ornamental purposes like decorating homes and offices. Its greenish-white flowers give a mesmerising look to your house or office space. It originated in countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. Later, it was introduced in various other countries across the world. It includes India, Australia, parts of America, and other European countries. Now, let’s read more about this popular plant – Euonymus japonicus.
What is Euonymus Japonicus?
Euonymus Japonicus is an ornamental hedge plant species that is used for beautification purposes. It belongs to the Celastraceae family. Euonymus Japonicus is a herbaceous shrub that can be grown very easily. Like stem cuttings, they can be grown from seeds or by vegetative propagation. The inconspicuous greenish-white flowers of Euonymus Japonicus provide it with a mesmerising look. The plant is also endowed with numerous medicinal and commercial benefits. Euonymus Japonicus consumes minimal time and effort to stay blooming all around the year. However, some points must be followed to get a beautiful plant that can be used to decorate your room. Before growing it, you need to be aware of various facts related to Euonymus Japonicus. Come, let’s have a look at some of those facts and figures.
Euonymus Japonicus: Common names
The most widely known common name of Euonymus Japonicus is the Japanese Spindle Tree. Additionally, it is also referred to by other names such as Spindle Tree, Evergreen Spindle tree, Euonymus Spindle Tree, etc.
Euonymus Japonicus: Quick facts
| Name of the species | Euonymus Japonicus |
| Taxonomic tree | Domain: Eukaryota
Phylum: Angiospermae Family: Celastraceae Genus: Euonymus Species: Japonicus |
| Plant type | It is a shrub or a small tree
Seed propagated Vegetatively propagated It is an evergreen plant Perineal plant |
| Distribution | Euonymus Japonicus is native to Japan, Korea, and China. However, it has been introduced into various other countries, including India, Australia, some parts of America, and Europe. |
| Other names | It is also known as the Japanese Spindle Tree, Spindle Tree, Evergreen spindle tree, Euonymus Spindle Tree, etc. |
| Cultural/amenity | Impact- Positive |
| Human health | Impact- Negative |
| Uses | It is used for improving décor, medicinal research, and other commercial purposes. |
| Maximum height | 3 – 8 m (120 to 320 inches) High at maturity. |
| Temperature range | It accepts a wide range of temperatures. It can thrive at a temperature ranging from -10 – 24 C. |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance required |
Is Euonymus Japonicus fast growing?
Euonymus Japonicus are medium to fast-growing plants that grow between 12 and 24 inches annually.
Where should you plant Euonymus Japonicus?
Plant your Euonymus Japonicus in a place that receives full sunlight or partial shade. Make sure that the area’s soil is fertile, moist and well-draining. If the soil is loamy and rich in organic matter, nothing can be better.
How to grow Euonymus Japonicus?
The Euonymus Japonicus plant can be grown via two different methods. The first method is obviously through the germination of seeds. And the second method comprises vegetative propagation of the plant by planting stem cuttings of another plant of the same species. However, after planting the tree, you need to provide proper care to the plant by fulfilling all its requirements. Following are some tricks to take care of your Euonymus Japonicus.
Euonymus Japonicus: Soil requirements
Euonymus Japonicus grows best in clay (Heavy) soil containing some parts of sandy (Light) constituents. Dry yet well-drained soil is recommended for the Euonymus plant to grow properly. The plant can thrive through a wide range of pH conditions. It can tolerate acidic, neutral as well as alkaline conditions. However, extreme acidity or alkalinity must be avoided.
The soil must be enriched with ample humus and organic matter. A soil test before plantation is advisable. It will help you recognise the nutrients that are missing from the soil and add them according to the needs of the Euonymus Japonicus.
Euonymus Japonicus: Water requirements
Euonymus Japonicus can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. However, rainfall in an ideal range of 500 – 1500 mm annually is required. The water must be delivered at the base of the plant instead of spraying on top of the plant. The Euonymus japonicus plant is resistant to conditions such as high soil salinity and droughts.
Euonymus Japonicus: Sunlight requirements
The Euonymus Japonicus plant has an affinity toward sunlight. Therefore, it is best to place the Euonymus plant in a place endowed with direct sunlight. A Dappled sunlight condition is best for the plant. The plant can also thrive well under shady light conditions. However, the Euonymus Japonicus must have at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Euonymus Japonicus: Temperature and humidity requirements
The Euonymus Japonicus plant grows better in cool weather and can thrive in a wide range of temperatures. It can be grown in a temperature range between -10 – 25 C. Temperatures outside this range may hamper the plant’s growth or prove to be fatal for the plant in the long run. Euonymus Japonicus prefers low humidity conditions. Dry atmospheric conditions are best for the plant. Euonymus Japonicus needs special care in the states situated in the southern part of India to grow the Euonymus plant properly.
Euonymus Japonicus: Fertiliser requirements
The Euonymus Japonicus plant has huge fertiliser demands. The base fertiliser needs to be supplied frequently, but the specialised fertiliser requirements can be fulfilled after regular intervals. Fertilisers must be diluted before application, or else the roots of Euonymus Japonicus may get burned.
Which fertiliser is best for Euonymus Japonicus?
A balanced, slow-release fertiliser formulated for trees and shrubs is best for Euonymus Japonicus. A fertiliser with an NPK ratio like 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 can be a good choice for giving the plant the nutrition it needs.
How to care for Euonymus Japonicus?
Maintenance of the Euonymus Japonicus plant does not require much time and effort. You can follow the few tips below to watch your Euonymus Japonicus blooming gracefully throughout the year.
Pruning Euonymus Japonicus: How far back can you trim Euonymus?
Pruning is the practice of tearing the topmost part of the growing axis. It prevents the over-lengthening of the plant and helps to release branches. Such practices help increase the yield and improve the shape of the Euonymus Japonicus. For best results, you should cut back at least one-third of the plant’s growth to rejuvenate an overgrown Euonymus Japonicus.
Euonymus Japonicus: Weeding practices
Weeds are stray plants that grow beside Euonymus Japonicus and utilise the nutrients present in the soil. They deprive the plant of essential nutrients, eventually leading to its death. Therefore, removing them is necessary. You can remove the weeds by applying weedicides or by pulling them by hand. However, you need to be careful while you pull the weeds out by hand, as it may destroy the roots of the Euonymus Japonicus.
Euonymus Japonicus: Pests and diseases
Several pests and diseases often attack Euonymus Japonicus. They severely hamper the growth of the plant and may be fatal in the long run.
Some of the pests which attack Euonymus Japonicus are light brown apple moths, nematodes, box tree moths, peach scale insects, etc. You need to ensure special care of the plant to prevent it from such deadly pests.
Colletotrichum, Root rot, Mosaic virus, etc., are some of the major diseases that infect Euonymus Japonicus frequently. The plant must be provided with all essential nutrients to keep these pathogens at bay.
Euonymus Japonicus: Winterising the plant
Euonymus Japonicus is a relatively winter hardy plant and can survive low temperatures. All you can do it to protect it against winter damage is keep the soil moist but make sure it isn’t sopping wet. Also, mulch with many inches of organic mulch like shredded bark. Apply the mulch in a way that covers the root zone without getting up against the main stems. If your plant is in a windy spot, use windbreakers to prevent it from drying out.
Does Euonymus Japonicus come back every year?
Euonymus Japonicus is a hardy perennial plant. Even after losing leaves during harsh winters, Euonymus Japonicus will grow back during the spring, provided it is given proper care.
Can Euonymus Japonicus be kept small?
Euonymus Japonicus can be pruned to control the shrub’s size or in the case of an overgrown plant. If you are planning to prune the plant to control its size, the key is to do it slowly, branch by branch. When done properly pruning can be quite helpful in keeping your Euonymus Japonicus limited to the desired size.
Euonymus Japonicus: Benefits
The Euonymus Japonicus plant, besides being beautiful, is endowed with immense benefits. It possesses numerous medicinal and commercial benefits. Some of them have been mentioned here. Have a look at them.
Euonymus Japonicus: Environmental benefits
The Euonymus Japonicus plant is endowed with several environmental benefits. It is used in fields like Agroforestry, Landscape improvement, Revegetation, Soil conservation, etc.
Euonymus Japonicus: Research benefits
Euonymus Japonicus is used as a Research model to learn about various plant diseases like root rot, rust, smut, etc. It can also be used to track and discover plant procedures and their reactions to chemical exposures.
Euonymus Japonicus: Medicinal benefits
The leaves of the Euonymus Japonicus plant contain chemicals containing anti-rheumatic, anhidrotic, and diuretic properties. Therefore, it is used widely as an ingredient in the preparation of medicines.
Euonymus Japonicus: Ornamental benefits
It is the most popular use of Euonymus Japonicus. The plant is used as a source of beauty and calmness. People plant it in their houses as a piece of décor.
Do Euonymus Japonicus attract flies?
Euonymus Japonicus often attracts flies, bees and various other flying insects.
The bottom line
To sum up, Euonymus Japonicus is a great plant to have in your room as a piece of décor. You can enjoy the positive vibe and sweet essence of the plant. The beautiful greenish-white flowers are a treat to the eyes. Moreover, Euonymus Japonicus is easy to grow and maintain. Additionally, the medicinal and commercial benefits of the Euonymus Japonicus are numerous. You can get the seeds of the Euonymus plant from a nursery or any online shopping store.
FAQs
How long does the Euonymus Japonicus plant grow?
Euonymus Japonicus plant grows up to 3 -5 meters (120 to 320 inches) tall when it reaches maturity. Some wild species grow even higher. The Euonymus plant can attain a height of 8 meters with proper care.
Is the Euonymus Japonicus plant easy to grow and maintain?
Yes, the Euonymus Japonicus plant is comparatively easier to grow. It can adapt to a wide range of conditions and possesses features like resistance to high salinity and drought. These characteristics of the Euonymus plant make it easy to grow and maintain.
Is the Euonymus Japonicus plant poisonous?
Yes, the Euonymus Japonicus plant is poisonous. Reports state that the seed of the Euonymus plant contains chemicals like glycosides and alkaloids. These chemicals, when ingested, may cause disorders like vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, weakness, etc. Therefore, it is better to keep toddlers away from this plant.
How to propagate the Euonymus Japonicus plant?
The Euonymus Japonicus plant can be grown via two different methods. The first method is obviously through the germination of seeds. And the second method comprises vegetative propagation by planting stem cuttings of another plant of the same species.
When to sow the Euonymus Japonicus plant?
The best time to sow the seeds of the Euonymus Japonicus plant is in April and May. The direct sunlight and dry atmosphere provide the best environment for its growth. The seeds of the Euonymus plant can also be planted in September and October when the humidity levels and the temperature is suitable.
