Gold Dust Aucuba Plant (Aucuba japonica) greets the eye with striking, spotted leaves in shades of rich green and yellow, creating a standout presence in partly shaded or fully shaded spots. Each glossy, leathery leaf takes on a tropical flair, brightening your garden all year. This slow-growing evergreen reaches around 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, but it can stay smaller in a container. Thanks to its bold foliage, it offers a refreshing alternative to plain green shrubs and can brighten a dim corner.
Beyond its beautiful leaves, Gold Dust Aucuba Plant adapts well to challenging conditions, tolerating drought once mature and thriving in average soils as long as they drain properly. It often stands up to pests or deer and rarely suffers from diseases if kept in appropriate light. Native to parts of Asia, it has proven to be an excellent choice for shady borders, mixed plantings, or large patio containers. If you happen to grow both male and female Aucuba plants, you may even enjoy red berries that appear in fall, introducing extra seasonal flair.
Gold Dust Aucuba Plant Care
Pick a place that receives only morning sun or dappled shade throughout the day, as full afternoon sun can scorch the leaves. Provide moist, well-draining soil, and water new transplants more frequently until roots take hold. An occasional layer of organic matter or compost will boost growth and maintain nutrients. Mild to moderate fertilizer in spring can also help support lush foliage. Although it tolerates a range of pH levels, aim for a slightly acidic to neutral soil for best results. Indoors, keep it in a room with stable temperatures and bright, indirect light, watering when the top layer of soil begins to dry.
Pruning typically involves removing damaged or errant branches. Light trimming after new growth emerges in spring can help create a neat, compact silhouette. Overgrown specimens can be thinned out to allow additional light to reach lower leaves, preventing loss of foliage. If kept indoors, snip the tips occasionally to control height or encourage new branching.
Gold Dust Aucuba Plant Spacing
When forming a hedge or mass planting, keep plants about 3 to 4 feet apart so their foliage eventually intertwines without overcrowding. If giving them individual space in the garden, increase spacing to 5 or 6 feet to highlight each specimen’s color and shape. For container gardening, use a pot about 12 to 14 inches wide, and upgrade to a larger container if roots become cramped.
- SKU:
- 1231006766-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Arrival Guarantee
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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.