Japanese snowball

For Japanese snowball, water the plant in the morning once every week. Be sure to apply enough water to reach the roots (approximately 2 inches), but avoid over-watering. Additionally, some extra moisture should be provided during periods of extended heat or drought. If the foliage appears wilted or light green, then the plant needs additional moisture.

Japanese snowball plants need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. They prefer morning sun as it will help them dry off after dew or rain overnight. They should be planted in a location that gets full sun for the majority of the day, but can tolerate some afternoon shade. It is essential that the roots receive plenty of sunlight for healthy growth. The leaves of the Japanese snowball may get burned if exposed to too much direct sunlight, so it is important to monitor the amount of sun that the plant receives.

Pruning Japanese snowball shrubs should be done in late winter when the shrubs are still dormant. Prune out any broken, dead or diseased branches and remove lateral branches which interfere with the primary backbone of the plant. Prune a third of the oldest stems to the ground, which will stimulate the growth of smaller side stems. Prune remaining stems lightly to remove any suckers or misshapen branches. Prune away crossing branches to open up the bush allowing air circulation and light to reach the interior of the shrub. This type of plant is easy to prune, just take a little at a time to get the desired shape.