What soil does Spindle grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Spindle be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Spindle be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 2 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Spindle flower?

Flowering: April–June, green, yellow.

How much water does Spindle need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Spindle

Euonymus europaeus

Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €5.90.

Illustration of Spindle — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An undemanding large shrub or small tree with green twigs whose main season is autumn: the leaves turn red and purple, and the pink capsules split to show orange seeds that birds eat. It does well in sun or part shade, in calcareous and heavier soils too, suits a wildlife hedge, a shrub group or a bird-friendly garden, and tolerates pruning. All parts are poisonous, most of all the temptingly coloured fruit, so do not plant it in a garden used by small children or next to a play area.

Watch out for

Caterpillars of the spindle ermine moth wrap the bush in dense white webbing in late spring and can strip it completely bare. It looks alarming, but the shrub usually leafs out again the same year; on a small bush the webbed shoot tips can be cut off. Euonymus scale is common and causes branch dieback when heavy, aphids also settle on it, and powdery mildew and leaf spot also occur. Birds spread the seed, so seedlings may come up around the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 3 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, green, yellow

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 3–6 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, green, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €5.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €5.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Common yew

Taxus baccata

Heartleaf bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia

Heather

Calluna vulgaris