Photo: Didier Descouens, via Wikimedia Commons License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus L.

Family: Rosaceae

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

leaves, stems and seeds (NC State Plant Toolbox, poison parts: leaves, seeds, stems); French poison centre (Lille) lists leaves, green fruit and the kernel; RHS: seed kernels harmful if eaten

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin, prunasin, prulaurasin per NC State)

Hazard route

ingestion; RHS advises wearing gloves and other protective equipment when handling (RHS does not say why)

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

The pet verdict comes from the sources named in the source line. Dogs, cats, horses: NC State flags this plant as a problem for cats, dogs and horses and says stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide-releasing compounds, particularly toxic while wilting. RHS (UK): harmful if eaten for dogs, rabbits and rodents (references the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants). Oregon State: the same compounds are in stems, leaves and seeds and release hydrogen cyanide when damaged by wilting, chewing or ingesting; it says the risk of poisoning in humans, cats and dogs is small when plant parts are ingested but ruminants break the material down much more efficiently and many poisoning cases are reported. Disputed degree of risk: surface the MORE cautious value (toxic).

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 laurocerasus, not on the common name.. 'Laurel' is used for several unrelated plants. Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, also called English laurel) is not bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) and not mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia, which NC State lists as often confused with it); do not swap leaves or clippings between them. Cherry laurel leaves, stems and seeds contain cyanide-releasing compounds (NC State). NC State also lists Prunus caroliniana, a different species, as often confused with it. Toxicity of Laurus nobilis, Kalmia latifolia and Prunus caroliniana was not checked for this guide.

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 6a-8b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 6-8 per University of Maryland Extension; USDA 6 per Oregon State (species and several cultivars; 'Nana' zone 7); RHS H5 per RHS (the profile text shows H5 after the rating scale); Spain, Univ. of Valladolid sheet: withstands frost down to about -15 C (no zone system given)
Light: Full sun to deep shade per NC State; sources differ on the best exposure.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: US: 10-20 ft tall and 8-10 ft wide per NC State; 10-15 ft tall and 6-12 ft wide per University of Maryland Extension; 10-20 ft tall per Oregon State. Cultivars are much smaller: 'Otto Luyken' about 3-4 ft tall and 6-8 ft wide (NC State).; UK: RHS: max height 4-8 m, spread wider than 8 m, 20-50 years to maturity
Where it comes from: Europe per NC State; southeastern Europe and Asia Minor per Oregon State; E Europe and SW Asia per RHS; the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran and the Balkan Peninsula per the Valladolid sheet. Not native to GB/Ireland (RHS) or Oregon (Oregon State). Escaped cultivation on the US Pacific coast west of the Cascades (NC State).

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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