Flower profile

Japanese pachysandra

Pachysandra terminalis

Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is a low shrub in the Buxaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

Not native to Connecticut

Japanese pachysandra is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states.

14states where USDA records it

540CT sightings*

9,446U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Connecticut

Quick look

Pachysandra terminalis, the Japanese pachysandra, carpet box or Japanese spurge, is a species of flowering plant in the boxwood family Buxaceae, native to Japan, Korea and China and introduced to eastern North America. It is a slow-growing, spreading evergreen perennial growing to 10 cm (4 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) broad, with alternate, simple, glossy leaves, and creeping stems.
From Wikipedia's article Pachysandra terminalis, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Buxaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 14 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Connecticut. ^NatureServe
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 0.8 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 540 research-grade sightings of it in Connecticut, ranking #91 among the 179 flowers on our Connecticut list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month in Connecticut (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (17 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
Connecticut: Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. ^{CT E/T/SC list}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. ^{NC State Extension}

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records Japanese pachysandra in 14 states plus Washington, D.C.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia; District of Columbia.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Japanese pachysandra a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.5 to 7.5 and winter lows down to -28 °F.

Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Low
Moisture use: High
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range: 5.5 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated: -28 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 100
Annual precipitation range: 36 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth: 12 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: High
Growth rate: Slow
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Can be propagated by: container, sprigs
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for PATE11. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Waif (occasional, not established); Lower 48 states: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 33 counties across 7 states; the most are in New Jersey (12), New York (8), Pennsylvania (5).

More Connecticut flowers

Striped wintergreen

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Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

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Garlic mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in CT: April–May

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PATE11.
iNaturalist, Pachysandra terminalis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Pachysandra terminalis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Connecticut: Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list).
Connecticut: Connecticut prohibited invasive plants (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Pachysandra terminalis (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
Photo: Andrew Conboy via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.