I've seen this before. The black leaves and wilt are usually a fungus. Plain old black leaves and a plant in sun is usually burn (like at the Dekalb Farmers market. Those poor aucubas are scorched every year)...
Just cut it back to new growth. I've done this, and even with plants who have fungal problems on the leaves, the new growth seems to do fine.

GGG

Thanks for the advice. I believe the drought and some direct sunlight are the cause. Will do. Peace

tm

My acubas have done the same thing. We have had a very hot, dry summer so far and I think that is most of the problem. I have just cut them back in years past and they put out new growth and look healthy once again.

Several of our Acubas have this problem - black dying leaves. Our's started in the spring and has now stopped, except the plants haven't really grown back the missing leaves.

We were told it was delayed stress from last year's drought, so we are trying to baby them this summer.

Acubas will actually do very well in deep shade with very limited sunlight. Helps in drought years especially as they
really do not like it dry (in the air or at the soil). In the north, they can suffer in exposed, sunny locations both from summer sun/heat and winter sun scold. But in the shade/semi-shady--no problems. Mine even flowered and produced berries in a relatively shaded locale. They also transplant fairly well. (I would not transplant them at this time of year though.)

My 3 ft Acuba is loosing it's leaves.We did have a very hot,dry summer.
Could it have post stress from that?
In the meantime,what can I do to save it?
Thank you
Sandra