Spotted Laurel Plant Care

Spotted Laurel (Aucuba albopunctifolia) belongs to the Garryaceae family within the Aucuba genus. Spotted Laurel is native to Japan. Spotted Laurel is also known as Gold Dust Plant, Japanese Laurel.

Spotted Laurel displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Spotted Laurel produces small clusters of purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Spotted Laurel every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Spotted Laurel thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Spotted Laurel in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Aucuba albopunctifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Spotted Laurel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Spotted Laurel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Spotted Laurel every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Spotted Laurel is suited to USDA Zone 7b – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Spotted Laurel can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Spotted Laurel while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Spotted Laurel is hardy down to USDA zone 7b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Spotted Laurel can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese aucuba plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Spotted Laurel is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Spotted Laurel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Spotted Laurel is native to Japan.