Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Plant Care

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa (Cav.) M.Roem.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Prunus lusitanica, the Portuguese laurel cherry or Portugal laurel, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, the Macaronesian archipelagos, and the French Basque Country.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Plant Laurocerasus multiglandulosa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa (Laurocerasus multiglandulosa) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Laurocerasus genus. Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is native to the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, the Macaronesian archipelagos, and the French Basque Country.

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Laurocerasus multiglandulosa produces small white flowers in dense racemes.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

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

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Need?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Prefer?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Laurocerasus multiglandulosa prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Laurocerasus multiglandulosa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Feed Laurocerasus multiglandulosa every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Prune Laurocerasus multiglandulosa 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa in Winter?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cherry laurel plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Laurocerasus multiglandulosa Need?

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is native to the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, the Macaronesian archipelagos, and the French Basque Country. In cooler regions, grow Laurocerasus multiglandulosa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Laurocerasus genus — compare its care with other Laurocerasus species on PlantoScan.

Laurocerasus is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.

Laurocerasus multiglandulosa thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Laurocerasus multiglandulosa (Cav.) M.Roem., family Rosaceae (first published in Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. 3: 92 (1847)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Laurocerasus multiglandulosa is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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