What hardiness zones is Prunus lusitanica suitable for?

Prunus lusitanica is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Prunus lusitanica?

Prunus lusitanica requires Full Sun.

How much water does Prunus lusitanica need?

Prunus lusitanica has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Prunus lusitanica

Portuguese laurel

Rosaceae

Iberian Peninsula, southwestern France, Azores, Canary Islands, and Morocco

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height10-20 feet (3-6 m)

Width8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (moderate)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

An upright, dense broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 10-20 feet (3-6 m) tall and 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m) wide. Growth rate is moderate, adding 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) per year. Leaves are alternate, elliptical to ovate, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long and 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, glossy dark green, leathery, with finely serrated margins. Smaller and narrower than the leaves of P. laurocerasus. The most distinctive ornamental feature is the reddish-purple coloration of young stems, petioles (leaf stalks), and the rachis of flower racemes, which provides year-round contrast against the dark green foliage. Flowers appear in May to June in slender, pendulous to spreading racemes 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long — significantly longer than those of P. laurocerasus. Individual flowers are white, small, approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) across, with a sweet hawthorn-like fragrance. Fruit is a small ovoid drupe approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) long, green ripening to dark red then purplish-black in late summer, borne in elongated racemes. Berries are consumed by birds. Unlike P. laurocerasus, P. lusitanica is NOT listed as invasive in the Pacific Northwest and is increasingly recommended as a non-invasive alternative for hedging and screening. The bark on mature specimens is dark gray-brown, developing attractive texture with age. Can be trained as a single-trunk small tree or maintained as a multi-stemmed large shrub. Hardy to approximately 0-10°F (-18 to -12°C).

Native Range

Native to the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain), southwestern France, the Azores, Canary Islands, and Morocco. Found in moist, acidic forests, stream banks, and mountain laurel woodlands at low to moderate elevations.

Suggested Uses

Increasingly recommended as a non-invasive alternative to P. laurocerasus for hedging and screening, planted at 3-5 foot (0.9-1.5 m) spacing. The refined texture, red stems, and longer flower racemes provide a more elegant appearance. Suitable for formal hedging, topiary, and training as a standard small tree. Tolerates coastal exposure and urban pollution. Can be planted as a specimen where the red-stemmed contrast and attractive bark are featured. Suitable for large containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L) for the first several years.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Prunus laurocerasus by the smaller, narrower leaves (2-5 inches vs. 4-7 inches), the conspicuous reddish-purple coloration of stems and petioles, and the longer, more slender flower racemes (6-10 inches vs. 3-5 inches). The red petioles contrasting with dark green foliage are visible year-round and are the quickest identification feature. Flowers are borne in racemes that are more pendulous and elongated than those of P. laurocerasus. The overall habit is more refined and less coarse than English laurel.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 20'

Width/Spread8' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

dark green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

SpringSummer

Flowers from May to June in USDA zones 7-9, approximately 2-4 weeks later than P. laurocerasus. Slender, pendulous to spreading racemes 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long bear small white flowers with a sweet hawthorn-like fragrance. Bloom lasts 2-3 weeks. Small drupes ripen from green to dark red to purplish-black in August to September.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green with reddish-purple stems and petioles

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-6 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Adapts to a range of soil types and pH from 5.0 to 7.5, though it prefers slightly acidic conditions. More drought-tolerant once established than P. laurocerasus. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate 3-4 weeks of summer drought. Slightly less cold-hardy than P. laurocerasus; in zone 7a, protect from severe cold winds. No significant pest or disease problems; notably more resistant to shot-hole disease than P. laurocerasus. Not invasive in the Pacific Northwest — a significant advantage over P. laurocerasus.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer after flowering to maintain shape and size. Responds well to shearing for formal hedging; shear 1-2 times during the growing season. Use hand pruners for the most natural appearance, particularly for specimen plants. Can be trained as a standard (small tree on a single trunk) by removing lower branches gradually to expose the reddish stems. Hard rejuvenation pruning to 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) in late winter is tolerated; regrowth is reliable.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans