Plants
Cherry Laurel
Prunus laurocerasus · Rosaceae
Cherry laurel is Germany's most planted evergreen hedge — for understandable reasons: it grows fast, screens completely, takes clipping well and copes with almost any soil. In May it carries white flower spikes that bees readily visit. In all honesty, though: it is poisonous in all parts and ecologically controversial — anyone planting it should know both.
- Light
- Sunny to shady — hardly any shrub is more tolerant.
- Watering
- Moderate; established hedges tolerate drought, young plants need regular watering.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Prunus laurocerasus
Despite the name, cherry laurel is neither a culinary laurel nor a cherry — it belongs to the genus Prunus, and the laurel-like leaves are pure appearance. Confusing it with true bay laurel is dangerous, because the leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed.
Variety choice determines the care: ‚Rotundifolia‘ grows fast and tall, ‚Etna‘ and ‚Novita‘ are considered robust, while ‚Otto Luyken‘ and ‚Mount Vernon‘ stay compact for small gardens. The narrow-leaved ‚Herbergii‘ and ‚Caucasica‘ are especially frost-hardy — barely relevant in the Rhineland, very relevant in colder regions.
Clipping is best done with hand shears rather than a powered hedge trimmer: machines tear the large leaves, which then dry brown along the cut edges. Twice a year — late June after flowering and again in late summer if needed — keeps the hedge in shape. Important: check for bird nests before cutting; radical cutting back is in any case only permitted from October to February.
Ecologically the picture is mixed: the flowers provide nectar, birds eat the berries and the dense foliage offers nesting sites. At the same time cherry laurel naturalises in woodland via its seeds and is considered invasive; Switzerland banned its sale and planting in 2024. Prunings therefore never belong in the woods but in the green-waste collection.
Important for families and pet owners: the leaves and especially the kernels of the black berries are poisonous. The flesh of ripe berries contains little toxin — the danger is chewed kernels. Children should therefore never sample the „false cherries“ at all; dogs that eat fallen fruit are also at risk. To be safe, cut out the flower heads after bloom.
Is Cherry Laurel toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Toxic
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
The leaves and seed kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed — toxic to cats, dogs, grazing animals and children. The flesh of ripe berries is only mildly toxic; the danger lies in chewed kernels and larger amounts of leaves. If ingested, contact poison control or a vet.
Typical symptoms: Mouth irritation, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea; with larger amounts shortness of breath, cramps and racing heart.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Works in sun to shade — the brighter, the denser the growth.
- 02Plant in free-draining soil without waterlogging; for hedges 2–3 plants per metre.
- 03Clip with hand shears rather than a powered trimmer to avoid brown leaf edges.
- 04Main cut in late June, a tidy-up in late summer if needed; check for bird nests first.
- 05Water young hedges in dry winters when the ground is frost-free — evergreens keep transpiring.
- 06In family gardens, prevent berries by cutting out the flower heads, just to be safe.
Frequently asked
- How poisonous is cherry laurel really?
- To be taken seriously, but without panic: leaves and berry kernels release hydrogen cyanide when chewed. The flesh of ripe berries is mildly toxic — it becomes critical when children chew several berries including kernels, or animals eat prunings. Never feed hedge clippings to animals, and teach children that the black berries are not cherries.
- When and how often do you cut cherry laurel?
- Usually twice a year: the main cut in late June after flowering and a light shaping cut in late summer. Work with hand shears so the large leaves are not shredded. It tolerates hard cutting into old wood well, but that is only permitted from October to February.
- Why does my cherry laurel get yellow or hole-riddled leaves?
- Yellow leaves in spring are often normal leaf turnover or a sign of waterlogging or nutrient deficiency. Round holes usually come from shot-hole disease, a fungus — remove affected foliage and keep the shrub airy. Brown winter-scorched leaf edges also grow out after the new flush.
- Is cherry laurel good for insects and birds?
- Partly: the May bloom provides nectar, and birds use the dense hedge for nesting and eat the berries. Overall, though, it offers native insects far less than hawthorn, privet or hornbeam — and it naturalises in woodland. For ecological planting, mix the hedge or choose native alternatives.