Cherry Laurel Plant Care

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Prunus genus. Cherry Laurel is native to Southeastern Europe, southwestern Asia. Cherry Laurel is also known as English Laurel, Common Laurel, Bay Laurel.

Cherry Laurel displays an upright, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Cherry Laurel produces small, fragrant, white or cream-colored blossom, arranged in erect racemes, that blooms in late spring to early summer..

Leaf size: approximately 5.9 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cherry Laurel 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.

Cherry Laurel thrives in full sun.

Prunus laurocerasus tolerates temperatures of 30–80°F. Cherry Laurel prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Cherry Laurel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cherry Laurel every month 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.

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

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cherry Laurel is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

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.

Cherry Laurel can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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.

Prune Cherry 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 tree in one year.

Cherry Laurel is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

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 trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Cherry Laurel can be propagated through propagate through semi-hardwood cuttings or by seed. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apricot tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Cherry Laurel is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Cherry Laurel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Cherry Laurel is native to Southeastern Europe, southwestern Asia.