Looking for an easy-maintenance shrub to grace your home? Learn all about Japanese Laurel Care Indoors in this informative guide!
Popular as the Gold Dust Plant, this hardy shrub is noted for its gorgeous foliage and easy-going nature! If you want to add this dainty specimen to your houseplant collection, here’s everything Japanese Laurel Care Indoors!
Japanese Laurel Plant Profile
Native to the country it gets its name from, the Japanese Laurel comes from valleys and rocks in China, Japan, and Korea. This broadleaf evergreen plant is grown ornamentally for its showy green foliage, speckled with cream-yellow spots, the reason behind its common name—Gold Dust Plant.
Japanese Laurel can easily be grown in containers, as houseplants, and around the patio as shrubs. The dense and arching woody plant can grow up to 6-10 feet and spread around 4 – 6 feet and bears red berries during winter, making it an attractive scene to cherish.
Botanical Name: Aucuba japonica
USDA Zones: 6- 10
Propagating Japanese Laurel
From Seeds
Propagating Japanese Laurel by seeds is a lengthy process and requires patience. Sow the seeds in a pot with a well-draining soil mix and keep them in a cold environment. The recommended months to sow the plants is September – November. Water the soil well after sowing. It may take even 60-90 days for the seeds to germinate.
From Cuttings
It is effortless to grow Japanese Laurel via cuttings. Cut a 3-4 inches stem from a well-grown plant. Remove extra leaves from the stem and insert the cuttings in a pot filled with multi-purpose soil mix. Put the pot in a tray of water for a while so that the roots absorb as much water as required without making the topsoil soggy.
Place the pot in a shady spot, and you’ll notice new growth in 15-20 days. During this phase, water the plant well, but be careful not to overwater it.
Ideal Pot Size for Japanese Laurel
An 8-10 inches pot is good to display a Japanese Laurel as a houseplant. If you wish to grow it as a tall plant, consider growing it in a 12-14 inches pot. Get a ceramic or terracotta planter to complement the gorgeous rustic foliage of the plant.
Requirements for Growing Japanese Laurel
Sunlight
Plant the Japanese Laurel in a spot where it can get 2-6 hours of dappled sunlight and shade for the rest of the day. The shade-loving nature of the plant makes it a perfect choice for homeowners. You can display it on the coffee table or beside the couch to enjoy the plant’s glory.
Soil
The plant is not very picky about the soil requirements but needs a well-draining medium. The Japanese Laurel is tolerant of a range of soil, including clay, loam, sand, and high organic matter with acid, alkaline or neutral pH. All you need to take care is good drainage, as the plant is highly prone to root rot.
Water
The best bet is to keep the soil a little moist almost all the time. However, be very careful of soggy soil, as that will kill the plant in no time. Water it according to the weather, and keep an eye on the topsoil. Do not let it dry away completely.
Temperature and Humidity
The Gold Dust plant grows well in a temperature range of 50° – 65° F/10° – 18° C, which can be conveniently attained inside a room. In other words, it is adaptable to room temperature conditions.
Humidity requirements for this plant are high. It does well during summer and spring, but during winter, manual humidification may be required via misting or a pebble tray.
Japanese Laurel Care
Fertilizer
The plant is a slow-grower and hence does not needs to be fed frequently. However, you may fertilize the Gold Dust Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month, during the spring and summer. Don’t fertilize it during the winter or fall season. Browning of the leaves can be a sign of over-fertilization.
Pests and Diseases
This plant is at least risk indoors for attacks by pests but might become the target of spider mites, fungal leaf spots, and southern blight. Mist the plant with organic neem oil solution and refrain from overwatering. On sighting pest infestation, make sure to separate the plant from your other houseplants until it is pest free again.
