Pachysandra is an attractive-looking groundcover plant with emerald green leaves and lavender flowers blooming in springtime. The downside of this beautiful species is its invasive nature.
Pachysandra thrives on disturbance and will spread rapidly if left unchecked into other areas whose plants have already been damaged by pests or weather conditions.
However, it has an unfortunate downside: it spreads like wildfire. But don’t worry! There are ways to keep this plant from spreading. If you want to know how to get rid of Pachysandra, this article will show you the best tips and tricks for doing just that!
What Type of Plants are These?
Pachysandra terminalis, AKA (also known as) Japanese Spurge, is a beautiful plant that can be found in gardens all over the world. It is a plant that falls under the category of ground cover plants.
It can often be found in temperate climates and zones seven through ten. Pachysandra is also a perennial which has an extensive root system.
How These Plants Spread?
Pachysandra terminalis is capable of adapting to most soil types and therefore can grow in many different types of soils with its roots penetrating the topsoil. Its terminals spread through underground rhizomes and runners.
These rhizomes and runners can quickly fill in an area and choke out other plants. When the plant is dormant, you can cut the runners and dig the plant up to reduce the spread of the plant greatly.
Ways to Getting Rid of Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a hardy plant. Many people consider Pachysandra too attractive to remove entirely, while others find the process too complicated. Hence, it can be challenging to prevent Pachysandra from invading new territories.
But fortunately, several different methods can be used to eliminate Pachysandra, among which are:
Control Pachysandra by Weeding
This ground cover is widely dispersed by underground rhizomes, which are horizontal stems that grow just below the soil’s surface. The best way to stop Pachysandra from spreading is to weed out regularly.
Dispose Of All Pachysandra Roots
If you want to get rid of Pachysandra, it’s best to get rid of all of its roots as well. These can be disposed of by cutting them up and adding them to your compost pile or you can dig up the root system and place it in a garbage bag for disposal at a landfill.
Wrap It in Black Plastic
One way to control the spread of Pachysandra is to wrap it in black plastic. It is an easy and affordable way to get rid of Pachysandra. The black plastic will heat up and kill the plants.
Wrap the black plastic around the Pachysandra and secure it with duct tape. The plant will eventually die and can be easily removed.
Kill It Using Chemicals
It may seem counterintuitive, but using chemicals to kill it is possible. It can be destroyed by applying a glyphosate herbicide to the plant’s leaves. But be sure to read and follow all safety instructions on the glyphosate product label.
When Should You Plan to Kill This evergreen plant?
The best time to plan to kill this evergreen plant is in the early spring, before new growth begins. However, Pachysandra can be killed at any time of the year if you are diligent in your efforts.
Make sure to get all the rhizomes (underground stems) when you remove the plants. If any are left behind, they will quickly sprout new plants.
Conclusion
Pachysandra is a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover that can be used in your landscape. But it is an invasive species, so it must be dealt with to maintain your garden’s health.
As we discussed in this article, we gave you tips on the removal of Pachysandra. If you do a little DIY work, you should be able to get rid of this hardy evergreen plant. We hope this article was helpful to you in getting the job done.
