Aucuba japonica

Also Known As

Japanese Aucuba
Japanese Laurel
Spotted Laurel

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 6'-10'
W: 6'-10'

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Aucuba japonica plant details

Aucuba japonica is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring purple flowers emerge followed by orange and red fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and pollution tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aucuba japonica

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: garryaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in spring
Uses: bare root shipping available, border plant, easy-to-grow, tropical-looking, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aucuba japonica

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat, humidity and pollution
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Spotted Laurel, or Japanese Akuba, is a fantastic shade plant for warmer climates. It looks just like many other Laurels but has yellow spots placed like paint drops splattered across the leaves in various sizes. This is one of the most attractive variegated plants that will handle zero degree weather. You can cut Spotted Laurel back hard in the winter and get strong growth the next spring if you plant gets too big.

Spotted Laurel is fairly drought tolerant and will survive even if watered only every month after plants are established. Our main plant in the ground gets very irregular water because it is in the back behind a lot of other drought tolerant plants and it does fantastic even without summer rainfall. This variety is a male plant and will not produce fruit but has showy flowers in mid-spring.

Propagating Spotted Laurel/Japanese Acuba

Take cuttings in late fall of new growth and prune off half the leaves. Use a coarse potting mix and stick the cuttings about an inch into the soil. Keep in a protected area where the moisture is high but there is enough airflow to prevent rot. Keep the soil moist but not damp or soggy. Roots easily but don't repot for one year as the young roots are extremely fragile where connected to the stem.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Aucuba has large, broad, tropical, evergreen leaves that add a lush touch in the shade garden.

By: Fantastic Plants

A fine landscape evergreen that can reach 15'. However, it is very adaptable to pruning. It performs best with filtered sun but can be situated to brighten even the shadiest areas of your yard. Excellent for use as foundation planting on north or east exposures. Requires winter shade to preserve best leaf colors. Small upright racemes of tiny purple flowers bloom. Few plants give so much while requiring so little! Prefers well drained, moist, soil with high organic content.