14 named cultivars

shrub

Japanese Aucuba

Aucuba japonica

The Story

Plant Bio

Aucuba japonica, or Japanese laurel, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub from East Asia and Japan, reaching roughly 6 to 10 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide. It forms an erect, rounded, densely arching mound of thick opposite leaves up to 8 in long, elliptic to ovate with teeth on the upper half. Growth is slow and the habit stays tidy without shaping.

It is one of the few shrubs that will hold good colour in deep shade, where dappled light keeps the leaves glossy rather than bleached. Plants are male or female, so a female needs a male nearby before it will carry its red half-inch drupes, which ripen in autumn and persist into spring.

Uses & Benefits:

Large glossy evergreen leaves and red autumn drupes hold interest in shaded planting where little else stays presentable.

Low-maintenance evergreen screening for difficult dark corners, and a reliable container subject for shaded patios.

The berries are taken by birds, though as an introduced species it supports far less insect life than a native shrub.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

96 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium; keep evenly moist, never waterlogged

Humidity

Tolerates average to humid air

Lifespan

Long-lived; several decades in a settled site

Native To

East Asia and Japan

Toxicity

Toxic if eaten; NCSU lists it as poisonous

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site in deep to partial shade, sheltered from afternoon sun.
Dig a hole twice the root ball width and no deeper than the root ball.
Work leaf mould or compost into heavy clay before backfilling.
Set the crown level with the surrounding soil and firm gently.
Water deeply, then mulch 2-3 in deep, keeping mulch off the stems.
Plant a male within about 50 ft if you want berries on a female.

Pro Tip

Leaves scorch black in direct sun long before the plant shows thirst, so read the site light before you blame watering.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it in shade or dappled light under a canopy 🌳
Keep the soil evenly moist through the first two summers 💧
Prune out any blackened or scorched shoots in spring ✂️
Plant male and female together if you want autumn berries 🍒

Don't

Do not plant where midday or afternoon sun strikes the leaves ❌
Do not let it sit in waterlogged soil over winter ❌
Do not let children or pets eat the berries ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch And Water
Prune And Tidy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evergreen structure in deep shade under mature treesScreening along a north-facing wall or shaded boundaryLarge containers on a shaded patio or courtyard

Companion Plants

HostaJapanese forest grass Christmas fern Hellebore Fatsia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Aucuba questions

What zones can Japanese Aucuba grow in?

Japanese Aucuba is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Japanese Aucuba deer resistant?

Yes — Japanese Aucuba is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Japanese Aucuba bloom?

Japanese Aucuba typically blooms in spring, small and insignificant through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Japanese Aucuba need full sun?

Japanese Aucuba does best in part shade.

Is Japanese Aucuba drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Japanese Aucuba handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.