It does not die back in the winter but it yellows a bit.
But it’s also a vigorously spreading plant and hard to control.
It grows best in shady areas and somewhat acidic soil.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Soil
The plant grows in any throw in of soil.
It prefersacidic soil(pH of 5.5 to 6.5) enriched with compost.
Water
Give the plant adequate water to get it established.
The Spruce / K. Dave
High humidity can lead to the spread of fungal diseases in the dense foliage.
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize pachysandra.
Use a pot or planter of any size and check that it has good drainage holes.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Fill it with well-draining potting mix, or a mixture of potting mix and compost.
Unlike pachysandra in garden soil, potted plants need regular watering because the soil dries out much faster.
Scale is a problem as it hides in Japanese pachysandra.
Use a prescribed horticultural oil in the summer to rid the ground cover of a scale infestation.
A lack of air circulation and watering overhead can foster fungal diseases such as leaf blight.
Common Problems With Japanese Pachysandra
Japanese pachysandra is typically an easy-going ground cover.
Likewise, if pachysandra is exposed to too much sunlight, the leaves may burn.
This winter damage occurs primarily when pachysandra grows in sunny, exposed locations.
Only use a disinfected cutting tool when pruning diseased plants to limit the spread of the disease.
Thin the area for better air circulation.
The lesions can be ringed or have dark margins.
Eventually, the lesions blacken and the leaves die.
Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania.
Japanese Pachysandra.Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Japanese Pachysandra.USDA Forest Service.
Volutella Blight of Pachysandra.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Volutella Blight of Pachysandra.The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
Volutella Blight of Pachysandra.Oklahoma State University Extension.
University of Wisconsin Extenstion.
