Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’: Plant Care and Growing Guide
The Boxleaf Euonymus, also called Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ or Euphorbia ‘Diamond Delight,’ is a popular perennial plant for gardeners worldwide.
This perennial is famous for being low maintenance and growing slowly. It will brighten up your house or garden with its green leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
Fortunately, this is precisely what we’ll cover in this Boxleaf Euonymus Care Guide. So let’s dive in.
In order to take proper care of your Boxleaf Euonymus you’ll need to keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Water: The Boxleaf Euonymus prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
- Light: Keep your Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ in an environment where it can receive partial to full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Boxleaf Euonymus in soil with well-draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of sand and loam.
That’s it – sunlight, water and soil! The basic 3 fundamentals for all plant care, and with the Boxleaf Euonymus this is no exception. With these three elements, your leafy friend will live healthy and happy.
Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ Scientific / Botanical Aspects
The Boxleaf Euonymus is part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Its genus is Euphorbia and its species is Hypericifolia. This gives it the scientific name Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ (yoo-ON-ih-mus juh-PON-ih-kus my-kro-FIL-us).
Like the Green Spire Euonymus, the Boxleaf Euonymus is an evergreen plant. This means it will stay in your garden all year round.
Growing Region
The Boxleaf Euonymus is a plant native to the Tropical and subtropical Americas.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend to always keep in mind your plants’ native region and environment, since these are the conditions that your Boxleaf Euonymus is most accustomed to, thus where it can most favorably.
With this in mind, the Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ will be most used to the heat zones in the 1 – 11 region, as the plant hardiness level falls between 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a and the ideal climate zone is between 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2.
Growing Region
The Boxleaf Euonymus is a plant native to the Tropical and subtropical Americas.
As a rule of thumb, remember your plants’ native region and environment. These are the conditions that Boxleaf Euonymus prefers. This is where it thrives best.
The Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ thrives in heat zones 1 to 11. Its hardiness ranges from 10b to 11a. The best climate zones are 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, and H2.
Growth and Size
Boxleaf Euonymus, or Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’, grows slowly. This makes it very easy to care for. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who prefer structure without constant pruning. Its steady pace allows you to enjoy a well-shaped plant without having to chase it back into form every few weeks.
In terms of size, this compact evergreen typically reaches 10 to 12 inches (25–30 cm) in both height and width at maturity. While this may seem modest, its neat, rounded shape offers a tidy, elegant presence in any garden bed, container, or border. Don’t underestimate its small size—it packs a visual punch in formal and low-maintenance landscapes alike.
Due to its eventual spread, it’s wise to leave about 8 to 12 inches (20–30 cm) of space around each plant. This gives it enough room to grow to its full potential without crowding neighboring plants or hardscaping elements.
| Check out: Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus) Care and Growing Guide |
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Boxleaf Euonymus in soil with well-draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
When you consider this, this is why you should aim to choose soil that has good drainage, and occasionally dry properties to keep the right moisture levels at all times.
However, in our experience, the best solution to knowing the right amount of water for your Boxleaf Euonymus is with the ‘thumb’ technique. Basically, you insert your finger into the soil, and based if you feel the soil moist or dry, you determine if it needs any water, which is the most appropriate way to go about watering your leafy friend.
Soil Mix
As mentioned earlier, the Boxleaf Euonymus prefers to have soil with good drainage, and occasionally dry properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of sand and loam.
This is why most experts agree that the Boxleaf Euonymus requires soil with loam (silt), sand, and shallow rocky, which will give you the right conditions it needs.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Fertilization Techniques for Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’
Feeding your Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ the right way boosts its color, density, and health. This compact evergreen shrub benefits most from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 14-14-14 formula. Organic options like compost or well-aged manure can also give it a gentle, steady boost.
Apply fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins, and again in mid-summer if needed. Avoid late fall feeding, as it can trigger tender growth vulnerable to frost. Always water thoroughly after applying to help nutrients soak into the root zone.
Watch for signs of nutrient deficiencies:
| Symptom | Possible Cause |
| Yellowing leaves | Nitrogen deficiency |
| Pale or stunted growth | Lack of phosphorus |
| Scorched leaf edges | Potassium deficiency |
Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule helps keep your shrub looking vibrant and lush all year round.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Boxleaf Euonymus requires partial to full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this perennial will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Season
Being an evergreen plant, the Boxleaf Euonymus will be present year round in your garden.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (late), the summer (early, mid, late), and during the fall.
Flowers
You can expect your Boxleaf Euonymus to flower around the spring, summer and the fall months from April to June (spring), from July to September (summer), and from October to December (fall).
The Boxleaf Euonymus produces some beautiful green, or white flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Boxleaf Euonymus have a beautiful green color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a opposite organization in its leaves.
You can expect the leaves from your Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ to be around (1-3 inches) in size.
Attracts, Tolerance and Resistance
The Boxleaf Euonymus is well known for its tolerance to drought and animals like deer, so don’t worry if any of these come along, your Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ will be fine.
Garden
How should you then organize your garden to include your new Boxleaf Euonymus? Here are some recommendations by expert gardeners.
Most Euonymus Japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ owners agree that this perennial will look great in most contemporary, asian/zen and mediterranean gardens of all types.
Other owners consider that they complement well most gardens of informal and cottage, city and courtyard, gravel and rock garden, and in mediterranean garden styles.
In particular, the Boxleaf Euonymus’s best location within your garden is in beds and borders, and in patio and containers, others use it for landscaping in a coastal exposure, hedge, border, container, or a mass planting.
Companion Plants
Boxleaf Euonymus’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Rhododendron, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Hydrangea will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
And we’ve come to an end. Fortunately, that’s everything you need to know about your Boxleaf Euonymus to keep it safe and sound in your garden or home. Enjoy planting!
