Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Golden Euonymus delivers bold evergreen color with green leaves edged in bright golden yellow. Euonymus japonicus 'Aureo-marginatus' grows upright and dense, giving hedges, screens, and larger borders a strong foliage presence through every season. It reaches about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide in 10 years, with older plants capable of becoming larger where space allows. This is a good choice for a planting that needs dependable color that is not tied to a bloom season.
This Japanese euonymus is valued for its leathery variegated foliage and moderate growth rate. It tolerates coastal exposure, road salt, black walnut sites, lean soils, regular pruning, and urban conditions better than many broadleaf evergreens. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, so the foliage is the reason to grow it. Use Golden Euonymus as a hedge, privacy screen, bold accent, container shrub, or evergreen backdrop in larger mixed beds.
Golden Euonymus Care
Plant Golden Euonymus in full sun to partial sun, with full sun producing the strongest gold variegation in humid climates. In very hot regions, afternoon shade can help keep foliage from stressing during peak summer heat. It grows in average, well-drained soil and adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay-based soils with acidic to slightly alkaline pH.
Water deeply after planting and when the top 3 inches of soil are dry during the first growing season. Once established, Golden Euonymus handles short dry spells, though prolonged drought can dull the foliage and slow new growth. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release shrub fertilize. Use mulch to keep the root zone cooler and more evenly moist.
Prune Golden Euonymus any time light shaping is needed, with the main trim in spring or early summer after new growth appears. Shear for a formal hedge, or selectively shorten taller stems to keep a natural upright outline. Watch for any solid-green shoots and remove them at the branch base so the variegated growth remains dominant.
Golden Euonymus Spacing
Space Golden Euonymus 3 feet apart for a dense hedge, or 5 to 6 feet apart for individual shrubs with more visible form. For containers, use a pot at least 20 inches wide with drainage holes and a sturdy all-purpose potting mix. Potted plants need regular watering during summer heat, especially on patios where reflected warmth dries the soil faster.
Plant Golden Euonymus with juniper bushes, potentilla, roses, or black-eyed Susans in sunny beds so the gold foliage can frame flowering plants and textured evergreens. Sedum and yarrow make useful lower companions near the front of dry, well-drained borders. In containers, lantana, purslane, or sweet potato vines can fill the lower layer around Golden Euonymus with seasonal color and trailing growth.
Golden Euonymus Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Flower Color(s): n/a |
| Bloom Period: Grown for Foliage |
| Foliage Color(s): Variegated |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: 6 Feet |
| Spread: 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Watering: Medium |
| Features: Colorful Evergreen Hedge |
| Scientific Name: Euonymus japonicus 'Aureo-marginatus' |
| Common Name: Golden Euonymus |
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Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | April 6th |
| Zone 9 | April 6th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!