Portuguese laurel
Also known as
Portugal laurel, Portuguese cherry laurel, Azores laurel (subsp. azorica), Madeira cherry laurel (subsp. hixa)
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Portuguese laurel
Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portuguese laurel, is an elegant evergreen large shrub or small tree prized for its dense, glossy foliage and refined texture. Typically 4–8 m tall when maintained as a hedge or screen, it can reach 10–15 m if allowed to mature as a specimen. Leaves are elliptic, leathery, and dark green, 7–15 cm long, often with striking red petioles and reddish new growth. In late spring to early summer, it bears numerous fragrant, creamy-white flowers on slender, upright to slightly arching racemes 10–20 cm long that attract pollinators. These are followed by small cherry-like drupes that turn from red to black, a food source for birds. Portuguese laurel is valued for its tolerance of pruning, making it ideal for formal hedges, topiary, and privacy planting in urban or coastal gardens. It prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils, with moderate drought resilience once established. Compared with the broadly grown cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), it has narrower leaves and a finer, more architectural habit.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Portuguese laurel
Water
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. For new plantings, water deeply 1–2 times weekly during the first 12–24 months, allowing the top 2–5 cm of soil to dry between waterings. Apply 10–20 L per plant per session depending on size, soil, and weather. Once established, water deeply but infrequently during prolonged dry spells; mulch 5–8 cm to conserve moisture. In containers, water when the top 3–5 cm is dry, ensuring free drainage and emptying saucers to prevent root rot.
Light
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In cool, maritime climates, full sun promotes the densest habit and abundant flowering. In hotter inland regions, provide morning sun with afternoon shade to reduce leaf scorch and water stress. It tolerates bright open shade but will flower less and may grow more open; adjust pruning to maintain density. Suitable for urban settings with high light variability, though avoid deep, continuous shade for best hedge performance.
Nutrients
Feed lightly in early spring with a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer (e.g., 8‑8‑8 to 12‑12‑12) to support steady growth without excessive softness. In most gardens, an annual 5–8 cm layer of composted mulch around (but not touching) the base supplies ample nutrition and improves soil moisture retention. Avoid heavy summer/fall nitrogen that can promote tender growth prone to winter damage. On alkaline soils, watch for interveinal chlorosis; correct with iron chelate or acidifying amendments. Container plants benefit from a dilute liquid feed every 4–6 weeks in the growing season.
Temperature
Hardy in roughly USDA Zones 7–9, tolerating brief drops to about −15 °C (5 °F) once established. New flushes can be nipped by late frosts; avoid hard pruning just before cold snaps. In hot summer climates, it handles 32–35 °C (90–95 °F) with adequate soil moisture and mulch. Protect from desiccating winter winds in exposed sites, which can scorch foliage. Container-grown specimens are more vulnerable to cold; move to a sheltered, unheated area or insulate pots during severe freezes.
