Species spotted laurel
Dark-green-yellow leaves on green stems.

spotted laurel

Aucuba japonica 'Suruga Benten'

The spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Suruga Benten') is an amazing plant due to its striking foliage and hardiness. This evergreen shrub has gorgeous glossy leaves that are mottled in dark green, yellow, and sometimes white. It produces a deep pink flower in the shape of a star during the spring season. With its tolerance to both humid and dry climates, the plant can grow in various outdoor and indoor settings. Plus, it’s also drought-tolerant and pest-resistant. With its eye-catching foliage and easy maintenance, the spotted laurel is an ideal pick for brightening up any garden space.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Maroon Flowers

Sun:

part sun/part shade,full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Suruga Benten') should be watered thoroughly and deeply about once or twice a week. Pay attention to the top few inches of soil to check for moisture and ensure that the soil is damp to about 2 inches deep before adding additional water. During the summertime, you may need to water more frequently, while during the winter months water less often. When providing supplemental water to your Spotted Laurel, it is important to avoid overdoing it, as excessively wet soil can lead to root-rot and other issues.

sunlight

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Suruga Benten') prefers bright indirect sunlight for optimum growth and development. In general, plants should be given at least 4-5 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. The best time to expose a spotted laurel to sunlight is during the early hours of the morning or late hours of the afternoon when the sun is not too intense. Avoid exposing the plant to too much direct sunlight during peak hours of the day, which can lead to scorched leaves and wilting.

pruning

The spotted laurel typically requires minimal pruning, only in order to maintain its shape or to remove broken, diseased, or dead branches. Pruning of your spotted laurel should be done in late spring or early summer, once the plant has finished blooming. If pruning is necessary, make sure to remove any dead or damaged branches, thin out the crown, and shorten back any overly long branches. Always use clean stainless steel pruning shears, and prune in such a way as to maintain the plant's rounded shape.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Aucuba japonica 'Suruga Benten' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map