Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in), with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
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Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Buxales
Family: Buxaceae
Genus: Pachysandra
Michx.
Species

See text

Pachysandra /ˌpækiˈsændrə/1 is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in), with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.2

Variegated Jade among Pachysandra. Pachysandra is often used as a ground cover. source ↗

Etymology

Pachysandra is derived from the Ancient Greek word παχύς (pachýs, 'thick') and the Neo-Latin -androus ('of or pertaining to stamens'), and is a reference to the thick stamens.34

Species

Cultivation and uses

Pachysandra can grow in deep-shade areas and is thus well-suited and popular as ground cover for shade gardens. There are several varieties used in the garden landscape, all of which are deer-resistant:

  • The most commonly used species is P. terminalis, or Japanese spurge, which is an aggressively spreading evergreen ground cover.
  • 'Variegata' has leaves attractively variegated green and creamy white, with a slower growth/spreading rate as P. terminalis.
  • 'Green Sheen' Pachysandra has extra glossy dark green leaves and slowly spreads.
  • 'Green Carpet' Pachysandra has deeper semi glossed green leaves than the common P. Terminalis, with prominent veining, more toothed serrations to the leaf edge, and a shorter more compact growth habit.8

All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.

References

References

  1. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995, pp.606–607.
  2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 63, 287
  4. "pachysandra". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. OCLC 1032680871.
  5. 2b. Pachysandra axillaris var. stylosa (Dunn) M. Cheng, Flora of China
  6. GRIN Species Records of Pachysandra, GRIN Taxonomy for Plants
  7. 3. Pachysandra A. Michaux, Flora of China
  8. "Pachysandra Terminalis Ground Cover". Peekskill Nurseries. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
External links