Shrub · Rosaceae family
cherry laurel
Prunus laurocerasus
In short a 10-second read
Cherry laurel (shrub) grows to 3–6 m tall and 2.5–7.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in average soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are white. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 2.5–7.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in average soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 5–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–May · white
Pruning
hedge trimming (May–June)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does cherry laurel flower?
In April–May; the flowers are white.
Does cherry laurel tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does cherry laurel need?
At maturity 2.5–7.5 m wide and 3–6 m tall; recommended spacing 400 cm.
Does cherry laurel survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Toxicity
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 15 expert sources. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Show sources (15)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Prunus laurocerasus
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Prunus laurocerasus
- EUR-Lex — vykonávacie nariadenie
- Slov-lex — nariadenie vlády SR č. 449/2019 Z. z.
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- EASIN (JRC Európskej komisie) — katalóg nepôvodných druhov
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Prunus laurocerasus
- Wikidata (CC0) — Prunus laurocerasus
- RHS - Prunus laurocerasus
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- Tox Info Suisse — Giftige Garten- und Wildpflanzen
- Giftzentrale Bonn (GIZ Bonn)
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