Aucuba are grown for their bold foliage, autumn fruit, and adaptability to shade, dry soil, pollution, and coastal conditions. A. japonica is a rounded, evergreen shrub with small, reddish purple flowers in spring, and red berries (on female plants) in fall. It grows to about 10 feet tall and wide. ‘Crotonifolia’ has leaves that look like they were speckled with yellow paint. ‘Gold Dust’ is female with heavy yellow speckling. ‘Mr. Goldstrike’ is male, more upright, and has gold-splashed leaves. Use as a hedge or specimen, in a container outdoors, or as an imposing houseplant.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsVery adaptable; glossy, bold foliage; red berries on female plants. Many named cultivars are female and thus bear autumn fruit.
CareThis plant is tolerant of full shade, dry soil, pollution, and salt winds. It is adaptable to almost any soil, except waterlogged soil. Use it in full sun to partial shade, or in full shade in hot summer areas. Protect from winter sun and wind at lower zones. Trim or cut back in spring.
PropagationRoot semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn.
ProblemsWet root rot, Southern blight, fungal leaf spots
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
- Genus : Aucuba
- Zones : 10, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Plant Height : 6 to 10 feet
- Plant Width : 6 to 10 feet
- Moisture : Adaptable
- Uses : Containers
- Bloom Time : Early Spring, Spring
- Growth Rate : Fast
- Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Flower Color : Red
- Characteristics : Showy Foliage, Showy Fruit
- Plant Type : Shrubs
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members
Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.
