Mountain Laurel Plant Care

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Kalmia genus. Mountain Laurel is native to the eastern United States. Mountain Laurel is also known as Calico bush, Lambkill, Witch-laurel.

Mountain Laurel displays a compact, mounding shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Mountain Laurel produces clusters of small, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain Laurel every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mountain Laurel thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Kalmia latifolia tolerates temperatures of 0–80°F. Mountain Laurel prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content, such as peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Laurel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain Laurel every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content, such as peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mountain Laurel can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Mountain Laurel while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Mountain Laurel can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

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Mountain Laurel is susceptible to aphids, lace bugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.