Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ - Spotted Laurel or Gold Dust Plant

Aucuba japonica - picture by Kurt Stueber

Usually seen growing as an evergreen shrub in dark areas of gardens. However, it also makes a great houseplant.

The Plant: The Aucuba has glossy green leaves with golden splashes of colour, a neat compact shrub. Insignificant flowers, and scarlet berries, will only be produced when a male plant and a female plant are grown in close proximity.

Its needs: Good light, even a little morning sun. Tolerates some cold, but prefers room temperature. Well-drained potting mix.

Care: Moderate watering during growing season, but reduce this to a minimum in winter. Mist-spray in hot, dry conditions. Cut back old woody growth to re-shape plant in late autumn or early spring. Poor light causes leaves to lose their bright coloration, and reputation as being the Gold Dust Plant! Spotted Laurels sometimes suffer from Scale pest which can attack underside of leaves.

Good for: ‘Neat’ plant, happy in most situations.

Back to A-Z of Houseplants