Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
It is the colorful green and gold foliage that really makes this evergreen shrub stand out. As its name suggests, the large leaves of the variegated Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba are decorated with yellow-gold blotches. Easy to grow, this Aucuba japonica cultivar is male and can help pollinate nearby female varieties. Its eventual height is 4 to 6 feet.
As its name implies, this Japanese laurel is native to parts of Asia. It forms a pleasing round habit of dense lush growth and is equally happy when grown in a container or used to form a hedge. It is cold hardy and suitable for hardiness zones 6 to 9. Furthermore, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is slow growing and requires minimal maintenance.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba Care
This striking Aucuba thrives and produces the best foliage color when it is grown in full or partial shade. It can cope with any soil type but has a preference for a fertile, well-drained and neutral to acidic substrate. It prefers moist soil, especially while getting established and will benefit from a general fertilizer in early spring.
Since the Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is slow growing and naturally forms a rounded shape, it rarely needs pruning. However, if required, you can lightly shape it in early spring.
Since container-grown plants dry out more quickly than those grown in the ground, you will need to water this aucuba more regularly if you keep him in a pot.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba Spacing
Over time, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba tends to reach 4 to 6 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide. When planting as a group or a row, a spacing of 4 to 5 feet is appropriate.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade (Under 2 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-9 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple, Red
- Flower Description
- Purple, Red
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Yellow
- Foliage Description
- Green, Yellow Variegated
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba
- Also Known As
- Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba
- Botanical Name
- Aucuba japonica Mr. Gold Strike
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased 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.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!