What soil does Spotted laurel grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Spotted laurel hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Central Bohemian Region, Hradec Králové Region, Karlovy Vary Region, Liberec Region, Moravian-Silesian Region, Olomouc Region, Pardubice Region, Plzeň Region, South Bohemian Region, Ústí nad Labem Region, Vysočina Region, Zlín Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

Is Spotted laurel toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Spotted laurel be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Spotted laurel flower?

Flowering: March–June, purple, red.

How much water does Spotted laurel need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Spotted laurel

Aucuba japonica

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica) is a shrub. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Mildly toxic to children.

Illustration of Spotted laurel — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A shade-tolerant evergreen shrub with large, glossy, leathery leaves; gardens mostly grow the yellow-spotted forms. It suits the spots where other evergreens give up: under trees, beside a north wall, in polluted city air, and it does well in a tub too. Keep it out of scorching sun, which burns the leaves, and give it a wind-sheltered place because hard winters take their toll.

Watch out for

In Central Europe winter frost is the main risk: it is reliably hardy only to about -18 °C, and in colder, windy winters the foliage browns and shoots die back, so plant it only in a sheltered, partly shaded spot and mulch the root zone. Winter sun over frozen ground dries the leaves out, so water it in frost-free spells. In waterlogged, heavy soil it gets root rot and the leaves turn black; strong summer sun scorches young foliage.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–June, purple, red

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1.8–3 m × 1.5–2.7 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	March–June, purple, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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