Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen' (v)

Water

Wintercreeper should be watered deeply and thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means once a week during its growing season, and less frequently during the winter. Depending on the size of your plant and the environmental conditions, this could amount to 1-2 gallons of water for each watering session for an established outdoor plant. Avoid shallow watering as it does not encourage deep root growth. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure the plant has well-draining soil and proper drainage.

Light

Wintercreeper thrives best in partial to full sun; however, it can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, including some shade. To promote variegation and dense growth, aim to provide the plant with bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can diminish the plant's variegation.

Temperature

Wintercreeper is hardy and can withstand temperature fluctuations fairly well. It grows best in temperate conditions and can survive in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can damage the foliage. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Wintercreeper should be pruned to maintain its shape, control its size, and encourage denser foliage. This can be done once or twice a year, typically in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Always use sharp, clean pruning tools, and make cuts just above a leaf node or bud.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen') thrives in well-draining soil with a mixture of two parts peat moss, one part loam, and one part perlite or sand. The ideal soil pH for Wintercreeper should be maintained between 6.0 and 7.5 to ensure optimal growth and health.

Repotting

Wintercreeper should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent root-bound conditions and to replenish the soil with fresh nutrients. Choose a container only slightly larger than the previous one to encourage continued growth.

Humidity & Misting

Wintercreeper prefers moderate humidity levels, ranging from 40% to 60%. It can tolerate drier indoor air but benefits from occasional misting or placement on a pebble tray with water to maintain higher humidity around the plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright indirect light, moderate humidity.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade and shelter from wind.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen', commonly known as Wintercreeper 'Silver Queen', begins with seed germination, which occurs when the environmental conditions are right, usually in moist soil with partial to full sunlight. After sprouting, the seedling goes through a period of vegetative growth, developing its distinctive variegated leaves that are green with white edges. As the plant matures, it forms a woody stem and can either climb as a vine with the aid of aerial roots or spread across the ground as a ground cover. Wintercreeper 'Silver Queen' may produce small, inconspicuous flowers in early summer, followed by the development of pink to red berries that contain seeds, completing the reproductive stage. In good growing conditions, this evergreen perennial can live many years, with some mature plants reaching the stage where they need pruning to control their size and shape. As a durable plant, it survives through a variety of conditions, though severe winters or poor conditions can lead to its dormancy or, in extreme cases, the end of its lifecycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagating the Wintercreeper, specifically the 'Silver Queen' variety, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is typically undertaken in the summer to early fall when the plant's growth begins to slow and the stems are neither too soft nor too woody. To take a cutting, one would select a healthy stem about 4-6 inches long (10-15 cm) and snip it just below a leaf node, where there is a concentration of growth hormones. It's important to remove the lower leaves and possibly dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a pot with well-draining soil, watered thoroughly, and placed in indirect light. Humidity can be maintained by covering the pot with a plastic bag or placing it in a miniature greenhouse, ensuring it's not exposed to direct sunlight which can lead to overheating. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimated to ambient conditions.