Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'
treeAucuba (Aucuba japonica), often called gold dust plant or Japanese laurel, is a bold broadleaf evergreen valued for thriving in deep, dry shade where almost nothing else will grow. It bears large, leathery leaves - speckled and splashed with gold in variegated forms like Variegata - on a dense, rounded, slow-growing shrub of about 6 to 10 ft. It is dioecious, so a female produces its showy red winter berries only when a male grows nearby. Its tolerance of dark corners, pollution, and poor soil makes it a go-to plant for difficult shaded spots, courtyards, and north walls.
Sun
deep shade to partial shade
Water
Every 7 days
Harvest
~60 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
4-5 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Loam, sand, or organic; well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7 – 10
When to Fertilize
In early spring as new growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer
Grow aucuba in deep to partial shade; this is fundamentally a shade plant, and young leaves exposed to direct sun will scorch and blacken, so avoid hot, sunny sites. It accepts most soils, including poor ones, as long as they drain well, and prefers moist conditions but tolerates dry shade once established. It needs little care or pruning beyond shaping in spring and removing any sun-burned or damaged leaves. For the red berries, plant a male within range of female plants. It also makes an excellent large container plant for shaded patios.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first harvest
Jun 14
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
White cottony clusters in leaf joints; wipe off and treat with horticultural oil
Bumps on stems and leaves suck sap; treat with horticultural oil and prune infested twigs
Fatal in soggy soil; plant in well-drained ground and avoid overwatering
Dark blotches in wet conditions or from sun scorch; remove affected leaves and keep out of direct sun
Aucuba is grown as a bold evergreen for shade, not for harvest. It needs little pruning; the main task is shaping in spring and removing any leaves blackened by sun or cold. The cut variegated stems are useful in shade-garden arrangements and greenery.
Aucuba is an ornamental shade shrub, not edible. Its value is bold, gold-speckled evergreen foliage that lights up deep, dry shade where few other shrubs survive.
Aucuba leaves and red berries contain the glycoside aucubin and are of low toxicity; eating them may cause nausea, vomiting, and possibly fever. They are not a serious hazard but are not edible, so keep children and pets from grazing on the bright fruit.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.