Climbing euonymus
Euonymus fortunei
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–240" H × 24"–96" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul
Pollinators
bees
Native alternatives to Climbing euonymus
Climbing euonymus is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 450 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA woody evergreen groundcover or climbing vine grown for its glossy foliage. Spreads by rooting stems along the ground and can climb trees or structures using aerial roots once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Climbing euonymus is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation planting, groundcover bed, trellis or wall cover.
- Classified as invasive in parts of the eastern and midwestern US; can escape cultivation and climb into tree canopies if left unmanaged
Wildlife value
Offers limited resources for native pollinators compared with regional native plants; its small flowers draw occasional bees during a brief early-summer bloom.
Common questions
- How much sun does Climbing euonymus need?
- Climbing euonymus grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Climbing euonymus bloom?
- Climbing euonymus blooms in June and July.
- What pollinators does Climbing euonymus attract?
- Climbing euonymus draws bees.
- Is Climbing euonymus HOA-friendly?
- Climbing euonymus is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Climbing euonymus? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz