What soil does Portugal laurel grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, acidic.

Is Portugal laurel hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Portugal 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 Portugal laurel be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

How much water does Portugal laurel need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Portugal laurel cost?

It sells for roughly €13 to €140 in local shops, depending on size.

Portugal laurel

Prunus lusitanica

Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €13.

Illustration of Portugal 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 dense, elegant evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy dark green leaves that are narrower than those of cherry laurel, reddish young shoots and long, fragrant white flower spikes in early summer. It clips well, so it makes a fine formal or free-growing hedge and screen, and it takes sun, wind and summer dry spells better than common cherry laurel. Plant it in well-drained soil in a spot sheltered from winter wind and strong winter sun; it will not stand waterlogging.

Watch out for

Sources disagree on its hardiness: some rate it reliable only to about -15 °C, others to -23 °C or, for established plants, even -27 °C. In the hard, windy, snowless winters of Central Europe the leaves of young and newly planted shrubs can scorch and shoot tips can die back, so mulch it in the first years, water it in frost-free winter spells and choose a sheltered site. Avoid strongly calcareous soil. Powdery mildew occurs, and vine weevil and leaf-mining moths damage the leaves.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 3–6 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €13

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
30-40 cm	approx. €13
100-120 cm	approx. €67
175-200 cm	approx. €140
size not stated	approx. €13 – €24

Frequently asked questions

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

Appears in these lists

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.

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