Aucuba
Aucuba japonica · Garryaceae
📷 Callum1234 · Public domain
⚠️ Baies toxiques par ingestion pour chiens, chats et enfants. Provoquent troubles digestifs et irritation gastrique.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around aucuba and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Aucuba japonica
- Family
- Garryaceae
- Type
- Evergreen shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green spotted with yellow (cultivar 'Variegata')
- Flowering
- March to April, small inconspicuous flowers
- Mature size
- Approximately 2 m in height
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -12 °C
- Origin
- Japan and Himalayas
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Aucuba is undemanding, but flowers better with sufficient indirect light. In too much shade, it becomes leggy and produces few red berries.
The common mistake
Planting it in deep shade 'because it's a shade plant': it survives but stays weak and produces no decorative berries.
The pro's trick
Go for bright partial shade (light without direct sun).
Care
Light and exposure
Aucuba prefers partial to full shade. It tolerates low-light locations, making it ideal for interiors or shaded garden areas. Avoid intense direct sunlight, which can fade its variegated foliage. Regular indirect light maintains optimal variegation.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist without waterlogging. Water more generously during spring and summer growth, and reduce in winter. Check that water doesn't stagnate at the roots to prevent rot. In pots, let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Soil and potting mix
Plant Aucuba in rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Potting mix for foliage plants enriched with humus works well. Good drainage is essential to prevent fungal diseases. In pots, use a specific mix for indoor shrubs.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering (April–May) to maintain a compact, balanced shape. Remove dead or diseased branches. Pinching young shoots encourages dense branching. Regular moderate pruning is sufficient; the shrub doesn't require drastic intervention.
Fertilizing
Feed with balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season (March to September). Reduce or stop in autumn and winter. Low-nitrogen fertilizer promotes flowering. Follow recommended dosages to prevent toxic soil buildup.
Pests and diseases
Aucuba is generally robust. Watch for scale insects and spider mites in dry indoor conditions. Stagnant excess moisture can cause powdery mildew or root rot. Ventilate regularly and maintain moderate humidity. Inspect foliage regularly and isolate the plant at the first sign of trouble.
Did you know?
Native to Japan, Aucuba japonica has long been a symbol of resilience in Eastern culture. Its nickname "Japanese gold" comes from its yellow-spotted leaves that brighten dark areas. In 19th-century Europe, it was one of the first exotic ornamental plants renowned for tolerating the polluted atmosphere of industrial cities, earning it another name: "plant with black walls."
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- CamelliaCamellia japonica
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.