Aucuba Japonica Variegata

The aucuba is a good example of an indoor/outdoor plant . it can be grown for two to three years inside before it becomes too large and unmanageable as a houseplant , and then planted outside in the garden . if the plant is to be taken outside during the autumn and winter months , it may first need to be hardened off. If possible. it is better to move it outside in the spring or summer  when there is little or no danger of frosts. As an indoor plant the Aucuba is a fairly tough subject which can tolerate fairly cool and draughty positions such as beside front or back doors or in porches. the attractive , variegated foliage makes it suitable for display either on its own or as part of a mixed grouping .

Common name: Japanese Laurel , Gold-dust plant or Tree

Plant type: foliage plant with loose , bushy , erect habit

Season of interest: All year round

Flower: small, uninteresting , purple-red, produced in summer, occasionally followed by red berries

Leaf: glossy green, oval leaves, 7.5-15cm (3-6in) long, 5-7.5cm(2-3in) wide, with uneven yellow spots

Temperature: 10-20 C ( 50-68F) indoors , but will tolerant frost

Aspect/light: moderate to reasonably bright light

Humidity: moderate

Watering: evenly moisten compost in spring and summer , keep drier in autumn and winter

Feeding: once every four weeks with houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer

Propagation: plant tip cuttings , 10-12.5 cm (4-5in) , at 20C (68F) in mid spring to early summer  in seed and cutting compost

Potting: houseplant potting compost

Problems: Relatively trouble tree

Availability: occasionally available as houseplant throughout year

Other varieties: A.J.Crotonifolia-yellow-cream with white blotches