Gold Dust Plant

LIGHT:  Best grown with bright light but not direct sunlight. 

WATERING:  Keep soil moist throughout the year but make sure there is adequate drainage. 

NUTRIENT:  Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the warmer months or slow-release granules.  Do not feed in winter. 

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY:  Prefers cooler rooms and will not thrive in temperatures over 23 degrees.  Will tolerate moderate humidity but when the temperature does get warmer the plant will respond better to higher humidity. 

SIZE:  If planted outside these plants can grow up to 3-4 m in height but when grown inside and restricted to a pot, they stay much smaller, rarely reaching 1 m. 

PROBLEMS:  Scale are really the inspect which are a threat to these plants. 

SPECIAL CARE:  Wipe leaves with a damp cloth regularly to remove dust.  If the plant needs it, prune lightly in late Winter to encourage bushy growth.  These plants can tolerate being slightly pot bound, but if it does need repotting do it at the same time you are pruning.  

BOTANIC NAME:  Aucuba Japonica Variegata