Chinese Aucuba Plant Care

Chinese Aucuba (Aucuba chinensis) belongs to the Garryaceae family within the Aucuba genus. Chinese Aucuba is native to southern China, Taiwan, Burma and northern Vietnam. Chinese Aucuba is also known as Chinese Laurel.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Aucuba 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.

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

Aucuba chinensis tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Chinese Aucuba prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Chinese Aucuba 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.

Chinese Aucuba is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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.

Chinese Aucuba 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 Chinese Aucuba 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.

Chinese Aucuba is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.

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

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

Chinese Aucuba 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.

Chinese Aucuba grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Chinese Aucuba is native to southern China, Taiwan, Burma and northern Vietnam.