Running Strawberry Bush Plant Care

Running Strawberry Bush (Euonymus obovatus) belongs to the Celastraceae family within the Euonymus genus. Running Strawberry Bush is native to North America in the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada. Running Strawberry Bush is also known as Wahoo, Eastern Strawberrybush.

Running Strawberry Bush displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Running Strawberry Bush produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Running Strawberry Bush every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Running Strawberry Bush thrives in full sun to part shade.

Euonymus obovatus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Running Strawberry Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Running Strawberry Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Running Strawberry Bush every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Running Strawberry Bush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Running Strawberry Bush can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Running Strawberry Bush while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Running Strawberry Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Running Strawberry Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, seeds in fall. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wintercreeper plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Running Strawberry Bush is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Running Strawberry Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Running Strawberry Bush is native to North America in the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada. In cooler regions, grow Running Strawberry Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.