What Is Wrong With My Pachysandra?

Are the leaves pale?

Does your pachysandra grow in a sunny location?

Do the leaves retain green color along the veins?

Are the leaves and stems covered with small bumps?

Are the leaves tied together with silk strands and discolored?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow or red?

Is the plant stunted, leaves yellowed and the roots have lesions on them?

Are the leaves shriveled, dark spots appear on stems?

Too much sun bleaches pachysandra foliage to a pale, washed-out appearance. Leaves will be light green to yellow, and growth is generally poor. The only solution is to move it into the shade, and replace it with a groundcover adapted to the sun, such as cotoneaster or creeping euonymus.

If the pale, yellowed leaves retain green color along the veins their soil is not acid enough. Plants cannot access the iron in it and develop a condition called iron chlorosis. If a pH meter indicates that the soil needs to be more acid, sprinkle powdered sulfur, or used coffee grounds on it.

Check the soil for a drainage problem. Plant roots may be sitting in wet soil, which will eventually kill them. Provide a ditch or other method to drain the water away, or try raising the soil level of the area and replanting.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Leaftier is a caterpillar that ties the foliage with silk strands to protect itself as it feeds. They are 3/4-inch-long olive green caterpillars with two prominent black spots near their heads. If the infestation is light, break open the “envelopes" and pick off the caterpillars. For heavier infestations, spray plants with BTK.

Spider mites often cause problems for pachysandra. Spider mites are tiny spider-like pests that may be red, black, brown, or yellowish-white. Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.

These symptoms are caused by root-knot nematodes. Prevent root-knot nematodes by applying chitin or introducing parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting. Another preventative method is fertilizing with fish emulsion diluted in water which is then poured on the soil as a drench. It repels nematodes.

A fungus (Volutella pachysandrae) that attacks the only pachysandra causes brown to black blotches to appear on its leaves, eventually killing them. Similar dark spots (cankers) develop on the stems. Masses of pink spores sometimes appear on the stem cankers. This disease may attack plants that are injured or overcrowded. Remove and destroy infected leaves and stems as soon as you notice them, cutting the pachysandra back to several inches below the infected area. Improve air circulation by thin overcrowded plants.

If the foliage if browned and burned it may be due to dog urine. Dog urine is mildly toxic to most ornamental plants. It may discolor pachysandra foliage and even kill branches. Spray the vulnerable foliage at corners and edges of beds with an anti-transpirant spray product to provide some protection.