Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge) is the most reliable evergreen ground cover for deep shade — the go-to solution for the spots under trees, along shaded foundations, and on north-facing slopes where grass won’t grow and most plants struggle. Glossy dark green leaves form a dense, uniform carpet 6–8 inches tall that stays attractive year-round, suppresses weeds without chemicals, and stabilizes soil on erosion-prone banks. Extremely low maintenance once established. Hardy in zones 4–8.

Best for: Deep shade under trees, shaded slopes and banks, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, and anywhere turfgrass fails.

Why Gardeners Choose Pachysandra terminalis

• Thrives in full shade: One of the few ground covers that performs well in true deep shade — under dense tree canopies, north-facing slopes, and shaded foundations where other plants thin out or die.
• Year-round evergreen coverage: Glossy dark green foliage stays lush through winter, providing year-round structure and color in areas that would otherwise look bare from fall through spring.
• Natural weed suppressor: Spreads into a dense, interlocking mat that shades out weeds without mulch or herbicide — dramatically reducing maintenance in problem shaded areas.
• Erosion control on slopes: Root system binds soil effectively on shaded banks and hillsides where ground cover options are limited.
• Handles dry shade: Once established, tolerates the dry shade conditions under large trees — one of the most challenging planting environments in the landscape.
• Easy for beginners: Extremely forgiving and low-maintenance once established — one of the easiest evergreen ground covers to grow successfully.

Planting & Care

• Light: Full shade to partial shade — performs best in deep shade. Avoid hot afternoon sun which can scorch and bleach the foliage.
• Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost. Prepare the bed deeply before planting to give roots room to establish and spread. Tolerates moist or dry soil once established.
• Growth rate: Fast-spreading — knits together into a solid mat within 2–3 seasons when spaced at 12 inches.
• Mature size: 6–8 inches tall, spreading indefinitely to fill available space.
• Spacing: Plant 12 inches apart for complete coverage. At this spacing, 100 plants cover approximately 100 sq. ft.
• Watering: Water consistently during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, drought-tolerant in shade — minimal supplemental watering needed.
• Feeding: Light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring encourages vigorous spreading. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which can promote soft, disease-prone growth.
• Pruning: Minimal — shear lightly in early spring if the planting becomes uneven or leggy. Otherwise no routine pruning needed.
• Bare root care: Soak bare root divisions in cool water overnight immediately upon arrival. Plant the following day into loosened, damp soil. Provide shade protection for the first two weeks while roots rehydrate and establish.

Best Uses

• Under trees and dense tree canopies
• Shaded foundation plantings along north and east-facing walls
• Woodland gardens and naturalized shade gardens
• Shaded slopes and banks for erosion control
• Shaded pathways and walkway borders
• Replacing turfgrass in areas too shaded for lawn

Grows Best In

• USDA Zones: 4–8
• Climate notes: Cold-hardy and reliable across a wide range. Evergreen foliage persists through zone 4 winters. Performs consistently in humid eastern climates and adapts well to the Pacific Northwest. Not suited to hot, sunny, or dry exposed sites — shade and consistent moisture are key to success in warmer zones.

Problem Solved

Pachysandra is the definitive answer for the bare, weedy, impossible-to-maintain area under your large trees — where lawn won’t grow, mulch washes away, and nothing seems to thrive. It establishes, spreads, and solves the problem permanently with almost no ongoing maintenance.

Also the right choice for shaded slopes and banks where erosion is a concern and mowing is difficult or dangerous — Pachysandra anchors soil and eliminates the maintenance burden in one planting.

Pro Tip

When planting under established trees, amend the soil with compost before planting — tree roots compete heavily for nutrients and moisture in the top soil layer. A good soil prep before planting gives Pachysandra the head start it needs to outcompete tree roots in that critical first season. Once established, it holds its own with minimal intervention.

Explore More Shade & Evergreen Ground Cover Options

• For faster-spreading shade coverage, see our Vinca Minor Bare-Root Bundles — another top shade ground cover that spreads aggressively.
• Browse our full Evergreen Perennials collection for year-round landscape structure.
• Explore all Fast Growing Groundcovers for sun and shade.
• Control erosion on slopes with our full range of Erosion Control Plants.
• Pair with shade-tolerant perennials from our Perennials collection.

Shipping Information

• Pint pot: 1 plant per order, fully rooted and ready to plant.
• Bare root: 25 plants per order — field-pulled, professionally graded, and packed for planting. Soak roots overnight in cool water immediately upon arrival before planting.
• 100 plants cover approximately 100 sq. ft. at 12-inch spacing.
• No state shipping restrictions — ships to all 48 contiguous states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it grow in full shade?
Yes — Pachysandra is one of the few ground covers that genuinely thrives in deep, full shade. It is the top choice for under-tree plantings where other ground covers thin out.

How fast does it spread?
Steadily fast — spreads via underground stolons and fills in reliably within 2–3 seasons at 12-inch spacing.

Is it drought tolerant?
Once established, yes — it handles dry shade under trees well. Consistent moisture is important in the first season while roots establish.

Is it deer resistant?
Moderately — not a preferred browse plant, but heavy deer pressure can cause damage. In high-pressure areas, consider pairing with more strongly resistant plants on the perimeter.

How many do I need?
At 12-inch spacing, 100 plants cover approximately 100 sq. ft. Use our bare root 25-pack for larger areas to keep costs down.