Is Cherry laurel hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

How far from the house should Cherry laurel be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Cherry laurel be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

How much water does Cherry laurel need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Cherry laurel cost?

It sells for roughly €2.50 to €330 in local shops, depending on size.

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about €2.50.

Illustration of Cherry laurel — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fast-growing evergreen with glossy leaves and one of the most popular hedging plants: it grows in sun and shade alike and takes hard pruning well. Cultivars differ in size, leaf shape and above all winter hardiness: Rotundifolia with its large light green leaves is the fastest but the most frost-tender, Caucasica, Herbergii, Etna and the narrow columnar Genolia stand cold better, while Otto Luyken and Mount Vernon stay low and spreading, so choose by the hedge height you want and by hardiness. All parts are poisonous and birds spread its seed, so trim it after flowering to stop it setting fruit.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the leaves scorch in hard continental winters: the plant cannot take up water from frozen ground while winter sun and wind dry it out; large-leaved Rotundifolia browns below -20 °C and its shoots die back below -24 °C, the tougher cultivars suffer less. Water it in dry winters when the ground is not frozen and give it a sheltered spot. On limy soil the leaves turn yellow (chlorosis). Shot-hole (fungal and bacterial) and powdery mildew are common, root rot follows waterlogging, and vine weevil can notch the leaf edges. It escapes from gardens: bird-sown seedlings settle in woodland, which is why its sale has been banned in Switzerland since 1 September 2024 (Annex 2.2 of the Release Ordinance), Germany's nature conservation agency keeps it on the action list of potentially invasive species, and conservationists in Austria are calling for a sales ban. It is not on the EU, Hungarian or Slovak invasive lists.

Considered invasive in a neighbouring country

It isn't listed here, but don't plant it near natural habitats, woodland or water, and don't leave the clippings outside the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	0.6–6 m × 1–4 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €2.50

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
under 30 cm	approx. €5
30-60 cm	approx. €5.30
60-100 cm	approx. €27
100-150 cm	approx. €48
150-200 cm	approx. €110
size not stated	approx. €12 – €55

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for shade Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Fragrant plants

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Cherry laurel vs Anglo-Japanese yew Cherry laurel vs Arborvitae Cherry laurel vs Cherry laurel 'Novita' Cherry laurel vs Common yew Cherry laurel vs Ebbing's silverberry Cherry laurel vs European hornbeam Cherry laurel vs Japanese spindle Cherry laurel vs Oval-leaved privet Cherry laurel vs Photinia 'Red Robin' Cherry laurel vs Red-tip photinia