Cherry laurel vs Japanese spindle

Cherry laurel and Japanese spindle are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening, container). 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

Japanese spindle

Euonymus japonicus 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

An evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves that takes clipping well, so it works as a low to medium hedge, a screen or a container plant, and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 47

Key differences

Cherry laurel grows larger: 3 m × 2.5 m after ten years, against 2 m × 1.5 m for Japanese spindle (an estimate: sources differ).
Cherry laurel grows faster than Japanese spindle.
Cherry laurel is hardier: down to -23 °C, against -18 °C for Japanese spindle.
Japanese spindle also takes chalky soil, Cherry laurel prefers acidic soil and struggles on chalk (an estimate: sources differ).
Japanese spindle also takes heavy clay, Cherry laurel needs a loose, free-draining soil (an estimate: sources differ).

Which one to choose?

Cherry laurel is the better choice if you want quick results or the garden is cold or a frost pocket.

Japanese spindle is the better choice if space is tight, the soil is chalky or the soil is heavy clay.

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.

Japanese spindle

Only moderately hardy in Central Europe: at roughly -15 to -20 °C, or in strong winter sun and wind, the leaves scorch, and in a hard winter shoots can die back, especially on young and variegated plants. It usually resprouts in spring, but it is a risky hedge for cold, exposed sites. Euonymus scale is a common pest, and powdery mildew attacks dense, poorly ventilated plantings.

The data side by side

Feature	Cherry laurel	Japanese spindle
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	3 m × 2.5 m (uncertain)	2 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	0.6–6 m × 1–4 m (uncertain)	2.5–4.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m
Growth rate	Fast	Medium
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic (uncertain)	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Heat tolerance	Medium	no data
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–May, white	May–July, green
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planted as a hedge	2.5 plants per running metre	3 plants per running metre
For dogs	Toxic	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic	Mildly toxic
Typical price	about PLN 9.50 (< 40 cm)	about PLN 66 (< 40 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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