The Golden Nanu Plant, scientifically known as Duranta erecta ‘Gold Mound’ or Duranta repens ‘Gold Mound’, is a popular ornamental shrub known for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage. It forms a compact, mounding habit, making it versatile for various garden applications. Its striking leaf color provides consistent visual appeal, serving as a bright accent in landscapes or as a container plant. While primarily grown for its foliage, it can also produce delicate lavender-blue flowers, occasionally followed by small yellow-orange berries.
Golden Nanu Plant Care
Light Requirements
Golden Nanu plants thrive in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. This light enhances the plant’s golden-yellow foliage, ensuring vibrant coloration. While it tolerates partial shade, insufficient light can cause foliage to green and lead to a lankier, less compact growth habit.
Watering Practices
Consistent moisture is important, especially during hot weather and establishment. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, as excessive moisture leads to root damage. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain. Once established, the plant is somewhat drought-tolerant, but regular watering promotes optimal growth.
Soil and Fertilization
Golden Nanu plants grow best in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. They tolerate various soil types, including lean or rocky soils, but good drainage is important to prevent root issues. An ideal soil pH ranges from slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-7.5).
The Golden Nanu plant is not a heavy feeder and does not require extensive fertilization in rich soil. However, applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer three times a year (spring, summer, autumn) supports vigorous growth and plant health. Apply granular fertilizers a few inches from the stem and water thoroughly for nutrient absorption.
Temperature and Humidity
Golden Nanu plants are tropical, preferring warm, humid conditions and thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 11. They tolerate high temperatures, even exceeding 100°F. Where winter temperatures drop below 40°F, bring container-grown plants indoors to protect them from cold damage. While they appreciate humidity, they are adaptable and tolerate drier conditions.
Pruning for Health and Shape
Regular pruning maintains desired size, promotes bushier growth, and enhances the compact, mounding shape of Golden Nanu plants. This fast-growing shrub becomes large if left unpruned. Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth, or as needed throughout the growing season for shaping. Also remove any dead or diseased branches to maintain plant health.
Propagating Golden Nanu
Golden Nanu plants are propagated through stem cuttings. Select healthy, semi-woody stems about 6 inches long, ideally taken during summer. Remove leaves from the bottom half of each cutting to expose nodes, where roots emerge.
Dipping the cut end into rooting hormone increases rooting success. Plant cuttings into a well-draining potting mix, burying the stripped portion. Maintain consistent moisture in the rooting medium, keeping it damp but not saturated, until new growth indicates successful rooting.
Troubleshooting Common Golden Nanu Issues
Golden Nanu plants are robust, but issues can arise from environmental factors or pests. Leaf discoloration, such as foliage turning dull green instead of golden-yellow, indicates insufficient sunlight. Moving the plant to a brighter location restores vibrant color. Browning leaves signal either underwatering (insufficient moisture) or overwatering, which leads to root rot from soggy soil. Adjusting watering practices to ensure the top inch of soil dries between waterings mitigates these issues.
Stunted growth results from inadequate light, poor soil, or insufficient nutrients. Providing full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, and balanced fertilization encourages vigorous growth. Pests like whiteflies occasionally affect Golden Nanu plants, appearing as tiny white insects on leaf undersides and weakening foliage. Regular inspection and appropriate insecticidal treatments manage infestations. Root-knot nematodes, microscopic worms that damage roots, also cause above-ground symptoms like wilting, thinning, or dieback. Prevention is the best approach; addressing soil health and considering resistant varieties can help.