Availability : In Stock

Gold Dust Aucuba Plant

Availability : Pre-Order
Availability : In Stock
$76.49
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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

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

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

#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

#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

#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

#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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Best in Class Warranty

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Arrival Guarantee

We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.

Free 1-Year Plant Warranty

All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Plant Shipping

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 10March 24th
Zone 9March 31st
Zone 8April 7th
Zone 7April 14th
Zone 6bApril 21st
Zone 6aApril 28th
Zone 5bMay 5th
Zone 5aMay 12th
Zone 4May 19th
Zone 3May 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.