Aucuba, also known as Japanese Laurel or Spotted Laurel, is a highly regarded evergreen shrub. Its glossy, leathery leaves often feature striking variegation, adding year-round interest. It also produces vibrant red berries. Adaptability and low maintenance make it a popular choice for gardeners, suitable for diverse designs or as an indoor specimen.
Essential Aucuba Care
Light Requirements
Aucuba thrives in shaded to partially shaded environments, preventing leaf scorch. Direct, intense sunlight can brown or blacken foliage. Insufficient light can cause variegated forms to lose patterns and result in leggy growth. Proper light ensures compact form and vibrant leaf coloration.
Watering Practices
Consistent moisture is important for Aucuba. Check soil moisture before watering, ensuring the top few inches dry out. Overwatering leads to root rot (wilting, yellowing leaves); underwatering causes wilting and leaf drop. During winter, when growth slows, watering needs are significantly reduced.
Soil Preferences
Aucuba prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal, though it tolerates a broader range. Amending heavy clay or sandy soils with compost or other organic materials improves drainage and nutrient retention.
Temperature and Humidity
Aucuba demonstrates hardiness, typically thriving outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, sometimes surviving in protected areas of zone 6b. While it tolerates a range of temperatures, young plants are more susceptible to extreme cold or frost. Humidity is generally not a concern for outdoor Aucuba; indoor plants benefit from moderate humidity.
Fertilization
Fertilize Aucuba in spring as new growth begins, using a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer. A 10-10-10 NPK ratio, or one slightly higher in nitrogen (e.g., 10-6-4), is beneficial. Avoid over-fertilization; follow product label instructions. A second light feeding in mid-summer supports vigorous foliage.
Planting and Location
Selecting a planting site is crucial for Aucuba’s health. A shaded or partially shaded location is important, protecting from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds to prevent foliage damage. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than its height. Gently loosen any circling roots before placing the plant, ensuring the root ball top is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil, tamp to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
For container-grown Aucubas, choose a pot with ample drainage to prevent waterlogging. A quality, well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter is recommended. For multiple Aucubas, space them 2-3 feet apart for a dense hedge or 5 feet apart for individual specimens.
Pruning and Shaping
Pruning Aucuba maintains shape and size, encourages denser growth, and removes dead, damaged, or diseased branches. It also promotes better air circulation. If the variety produces berries, pruning encourages more prolific fruiting.
Optimal pruning is late winter or early spring, before new growth, or immediately after flowering or fruiting. Use clean, sharp bypass pruners for precise cuts just above a leaf node or main branch. Techniques include thinning crowded interior branches to improve light and heading back stems to control size and promote bushiness.
Common Aucuba Problems
Leaf scorch or browning often signals excessive direct sun or harsh cold winds. Relocating the plant to a sheltered, shaded spot or providing temporary protection during extreme weather mitigates this. Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) indicate nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, often caused by high soil pH. Adjusting soil acidity with amendments rectifies this, as does proper drainage to prevent overwatering.
Aucuba is generally robust, but can be affected by pests like scale insects and mealybugs. Horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps are effective organic control methods. Fungal issues like root rot result from poor drainage or consistent overwatering, leading to wilting and decay. Leaf spot diseases, appearing as brown or black spots, are managed by removing affected foliage and ensuring good air circulation. If an Aucuba fails to produce berries, it is usually because the plant is dioecious; both male and female plants are needed for berry production.