Carolina cherry laurel

Prunus caroliniana (Mill.) Aiton

Family: RosaceaeZones: 7a-10b per NC State Plant Toolbox

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

leaves, seeds, stems

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin and prunasin)

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

NC State rates Carolina cherry laurel high severity poison for people and flags it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses; leaves, stems and seeds contain cyanide-releasing compounds (amygdalin and prunasin), most dangerous when the leaves wilt. ASPCA has only a genus page, Cherry (Prunus spp.), toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Prunus caroliniana, not on the common name.. NC State says this is often confused with English or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), a different, also poisonous plant. Do not treat the names as interchangeable.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 7a-10b per NC State Plant Toolbox
Light: Full sun preferred, part shade tolerated (NC State).
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading of NC State: moist, well-drained soil, with good drought tolerance once established; drainage good, moist, occasionally dry or with occasional flooding. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: NC State: 15-35 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide; rapid growth

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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