Japanese laurel Plant Care

Japanese laurel (Aucuba albopunctifolia var. angustula) belongs to the Garryaceae family within the Aucuba genus. Japanese laurel is native to Japan. Japanese laurel is also known as spotted laurel, gold dust plant.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese 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.

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

Aucuba albopunctifolia var. angustula tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Japanese laurel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Japanese 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.

Japanese laurel is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Japanese 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 Japanese 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.

Japanese laurel is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Japanese 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.

Japanese 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.

Japanese laurel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Japanese laurel is native to Japan. In cooler regions, grow Japanese laurel as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.