Pachysandra is a cover crop — grown to build and protect the soil rather than for a harvest of its own. Notably, it shrugs off deer. Its summer flowers are a modest draw for honeybees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
4.5-7
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Pachysandra on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether pachysandra actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score pachysandra against your land's real conditions.
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What Pachysandra is
Pachysandra grows as a perennial and reaches around a foot at maturity. It blooms white in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Pachysandra
Pachysandra does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 120 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
1 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
120+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant pachysandra in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Pachysandra prefers pH 4.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Turn it in before it seeds
Cut pachysandra down or turn it into the soil before it sets seed, while the growth is still green — that's when it returns the most to the ground.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — pachysandra is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Pachysandra offers low value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Pachysandra thrives
Whether pachysandra thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Pachysandra will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether pachysandra actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Pachysandra in my zone?
Zone data for pachysandra is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Pachysandra?
Most growers plant pachysandra after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 120-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Pachysandra need?
Pachysandra is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Pachysandra need?
Pachysandra prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Pachysandra attract pollinators?
Yes — pachysandra's flowers are a modest nectar source for honeybees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Pachysandra safe for pets?
Pachysandra is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.