Euonymus fortunei aka Climbing Euonymus

Taxonomy

Euonymus fortunei, also known as spindle, Fortune's spindle, winter creeper, or wintercreeper, is a flowering plant in the Celastraceae family. Native to China, Korea, the Philippines, and Japan, this evergreen shrub is named after the Scottish botanist and plant explorer Robert Fortune. It is a small, spreading shrub with oval, leathery, dark green leaves that have a broad, irregular, creamy-white margin, which can turn pink in cold weather. Wintercreeper is highly invasive and damaging in the United States, causing the death of trees and forests in urban areas. As a juvenile plant, it can climb up to 66 feet with support, but as an adult, it typically grows to be 5-15 feet tall without support. It can also be cultivated as a shrub, reaching a height of about 2 feet, or as a ground cover, growing less than 1 foot tall.

Common names

Climbing Euonymus, Wintercreeper, Spreading Euonymus

How to care for Climbing Euonymus

Difficulty

Climbing Euonymus requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Climbing Euonymus should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Climbing Euonymus loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Climbing Euonymus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Climbing Euonymus will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Climbing Euonymus to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Climbing Euonymus is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The growth of Climbing Euonymus is not rapid and it doesn't necessitate any extra fertilization. By replacing its potting soil once a year, it should receive ample nutrition. It is important to note that plants obtain their energy from the sun's rays, not from fertilizers.

Region of origin

Climbing Euonymus’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.


More info:
Wikipedia