Cherry laurel
Prunus laurocerasus · Rosaceae
📷 Karduelis · Public domain
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cherry laurel and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, glossy dark green
- Flowering
- April to May, white flowers in fragrant clusters
- Mature size
- Up to 4 m tall, 2 to 3 m wide
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -15 °C
- Origin
- Asia Minor and the Caucasus region
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prune after flowering (May) by removing branches that stick out: cherry laurel breathes better with regular trimming. A hedge trimmed three times a year stays denser than one pruned brutally once.
The common mistake
Don't use heavy pruners that shred leaves—they brown at the wound edges and look sickly. Use sharp, precise cutting tools instead.
The pro's trick
A first low, well-structured pruning creates a dense base that'll stay more even going forward.
Care
Sunlight
Your cherry laurel thrives in partial shade to full sun. It tolerates partial shade, particularly in regions with very hot summers. A north or northeast exposure works well, except in very cold climates where a south-facing position is preferable.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, particularly during the first year after planting and during dry periods. Regular watering in spring and summer promotes growth. In autumn and winter, reduce watering.
Pruning and maintenance
Perform light pruning after flowering (May-June) to maintain a compact shape. Remove dead or misplaced branches. This shrub tolerates pruning well and can be shaped into a dense hedge. Avoid severe pruning in winter.
Fertilization
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. A light feeding in June encourages flowering the following year. Avoid excess nitrogen, which reduces flowering and increases susceptibility to disease.
Soil and planting
Plant in autumn or early spring in rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Enrich the planting hole with mature compost. Mulch the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust, your cherry laurel may be affected by weevils (beetles) or scale insects. Good air circulation and adequate watering prevent most fungal issues. Watch for wilted leaflets and remove affected parts.
Did you know?
Cherry laurel was introduced to Europe in the 16th century from the Caucasus, where it was appreciated for its ornamental beauty and evergreen foliage. Despite its common name, it is not a true laurel (Laurus nobilis), but rather a member of the Rosaceae family, like peaches and almonds. Its characteristic bitter almond scent comes from volatile compounds found in its leaves.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Cherry treePrunus avium
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- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.