Cherry laurel vs Cherry laurel 'Novita'

Cherry laurel and Cherry laurel 'Novita' are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus 3 m × 2.5 m after 10 years

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.…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 7

Cherry laurel 'Novita'

Prunus laurocerasus 'Novita' 4.5 m × 3.5 m after 10 years

For a fast-growing screen that stays leafy all year, 'Novita' offers large, glossy leaves, but needs regular clipping and watering while establishing.…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 7

Key differences

Cherry laurel 'Novita' grows larger: 4.5 m × 3.5 m after ten years, against 3 m × 2.5 m for Cherry laurel (an estimate: sources differ).
Cherry laurel 'Novita' also takes heavy clay, Cherry laurel needs a loose, free-draining soil (an estimate: sources differ).
As a hedge, Cherry laurel 'Novita' is cheaper: a running metre of plants of the same size (40–60 cm) costs about PLN 63 (2.5 plants), against about PLN 110 for Cherry laurel (2.5 plants).

Which one to choose?

Cherry laurel is the better choice if space is tight.

Cherry laurel 'Novita' is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay or price matters.

Watch out for

Cherry laurel

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.

Cherry laurel 'Novita'

Shot-hole symptoms, leaf spots and powdery mildew can occur, while waterlogging can cause root rot. Strongly calcareous soil can cause chlorosis; dry, sunny or windy sites increase the risk of leaf scorch and winter desiccation, and late spring frosts can damage young shoots. In parts of Central Europe, bird-dispersed seeds allow it to colonise woodland and displace native vegetation. Sale and import have been prohibited in Switzerland since 1 September 2024; avoid planting beside natural habitats.

The data side by side

Feature	Cherry laurel	Cherry laurel 'Novita'
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2.5 m (uncertain)	4.5 m × 3.5 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	0.6–6 m × 1–4 m (uncertain)	4–5 m × 4–5 m (uncertain)
Growth rate	Fast	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic (uncertain)	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium	no data
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white	April–May, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	2.5 plants per running metre	2.5 plants per running metre
For dogs	Toxic	Toxic
For cats	Toxic	Toxic
For children	Toxic	Toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about PLN 44 (40–60 cm)	about PLN 25 (40–60 cm)
Hedge price per running metre	about PLN 110 (40–60 cm)	about PLN 63 (40–60 cm)

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 26, 2026

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