Garden Care Guide

Japanese Laurel Care

Aucuba japonica

Likes partial or full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Direct sun scorches its leaves and causes black spots. A hardy shrub that is ideal for greening shady and problem areas of gardens.

Hardy · -15 °C / 5 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter rains are sufficient.
  • General care: Only observe in general.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid excessively wet soil to prevent root rot.
February
  • Pruning: Toward the end of the month, before new growth starts, is the best time to shape, control size, or remove dead branches.
  • General care: Remove weeds around the plant.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for scale insects.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy. Because yield and fruit quality depend on nutrient balance, having a soil analysis done is especially useful for this plant.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. It is a shade plant; in direct sun, black scorch spots form on the leaves. For red fruit, a female and a male plant must be present together in the same garden.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: If it was not applied in March, apply it now.
  • Plant protection: Monitor for aphids or scale insects; if necessary, use a suitable insecticide.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Black spots on the leaves are sunburn; move the plant to a shadier spot.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • General care: Mulch is important for preserving soil moisture.
  • Pests & diseases: Black spots on the leaves are sunburn; it shows the plant needs a shadier spot.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Plant protection: Spider mites and scale insects can appear in hot, dry conditions; check.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of stress (leaf drop).
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • General care: Make sure the plant does not experience water stress in extreme temperatures.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Light pruning can be done to tidy the straggly branches that lengthened in summer.
  • General care: (September 20) This is an excellent time to plant new saplings. Choose a shaded spot, give an initial watering after planting, and let winter rains establish the roots.
  • Pests & diseases: Choosing the planting site is the most important cultural task; avoid direct sun.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure there is good air circulation against the risk of fungal diseases with the autumn rains.
November
  • General care: The plant enters dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: General check.
December
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Check drainage against the risk of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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