How to Water Cherry Laurel
Prunus laurocerasus
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Quick Answer
Water a newly planted cherry laurel deeply once a week through the first two growing seasons. Established plants only need water during long dry spells.
Soak slowly so water reaches deep roots. Heavy wet soil causes root rot and shothole disease faster than drought ever will.
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How Often and How Much to Water
Adjust the sliders below for your pot size, light, and setting. The numbers assume a well-draining mix with organic matter and a pot or site with drainage.
Setting
Every
9days
Use
1cup
Your Watering Rhythm Across the Year
Soil dries faster in the growing season, which varies by region. Slow down watering in the off-season to avoid overwatering.
Pacific
Mountain
Midwest
Northeast
Southeast
JFMAMJJASOND
Growing season
Growing season
9days
Resting season
3–4weeks
How to Water Your Cherry Laurel
Soak the root zone deeply, then let it dry. Shallow frequent watering keeps roots near the surface and makes the plant much more vulnerable when summer dries out.
1
Water in the morning so foliage dries through the day. Wet leaves overnight are how shothole and other leaf-spot fungus problems get a foothold.
2
Pour at the base of the plant, not on the leaves. A slow trickle from a hose for several minutes does more good than a quick spray over the canopy.
3
Soak deeply enough that water penetrates 8 to 12 inches down. For an established shrub that is 5 to 15 gallons of water at a time.
4
Mulch a few inches deep around the base but keep it off the trunk. Mulch holds moisture in the root zone and means you water less often.
Should You Water Your Cherry Laurel Today?
Cherry laurels handle dry spells far better than soggy roots once they are established. When in doubt, wait another day and check the soil deeper down.
Hold off
Leaves look firm and dark green
New shoots holding their shape
Soil 4 inches down feels cool and slightly damp
Mulch underneath is still moist
Recent rain in the past few days
Ready for water
Leaves dull or starting to wilt at the tips
New growth flagging in afternoon sun
Soil 4 inches down dry and crumbly
Cracks opening in the soil near the trunk
Hot dry spell with no rain for over a week
If Something Looks Off
Underwater and overwater both show up as wilting and yellowing leaves. The difference is in the soil and the timeline.
Underwatered
Soil
Dry several inches down with cracks near the trunk
Leaves
Older leaves yellow and drop while new growth wilts in heat
Pace
Gradual decline through a long dry spell that recovers over days after a deep soak
Next steps
Run a slow soak from a hose at the base for 30 to 60 minutes so water reaches the deep roots
Apply a few inches of mulch around the root zone but not against the trunk
Check again in a few days. Recovery from real drought stress takes a week or more, not hours
Existing damage will not reverse but the green leaves still photosynthesize. Wait for new growth before fertilizing
Overwatered
Soil
Stays soggy days after watering with a sour smell
Stem
Bark at the base soft or weeping sap
Leaves
Yellowing across the plant with brown spotting that punches small round holes
Pace
Sudden decline that worsens after rain or watering
Next steps
Stop supplemental watering and let the soil dry out fully
Pull mulch back from the trunk so the base of the plant can breathe
If the plant is in a container, check for blocked drainage holes and tip out any standing water
Wait at least 2 to 3 weeks before watering again so soggy soil can fully drain
Remove leaves that have already dropped from around the base. Wet leaf litter holds the fungus that causes shothole
Got More Questions?
Why are there round holes in my cherry laurel leaves?
That is shothole, a fungal disease that thrives when leaves stay wet for long stretches. The dead spots fall out and leave clean round holes in the leaf.
Water at the base instead of over the canopy, water in the morning so leaves dry by night, and rake up fallen leaves around the base. New growth in spring usually comes in clean.
How long until my newly planted hedge can survive on rainfall alone?
Two full growing seasons for most climates. Through the first summer water deeply once a week. Through the second summer water deeply every 10 to 14 days during dry weather.
From the third year on, an established cherry laurel only needs water during true droughts, usually 3 weeks or more without rain.
Should I water in winter?
Only during dry winters in mild climates. Cherry laurel keeps its leaves through winter and still loses moisture, especially on warm windy days.
If the soil is dry several inches down and there has been no rain or snow for a few weeks, give it a deep soak on a day above freezing. Skip watering when the ground is frozen.
Can I run a soaker hose under the hedge?
Yes, and it is the best way to water a long hedge. Lay the soaker line a foot from the trunks under the mulch and run it slowly for an hour every 10 to 14 days during dry summer weather.
Do not run drip irrigation daily. Cherry laurel needs the soil to dry between deep waterings, not to stay constantly wet.
Why are leaves yellow at the base of the shrub even when I water?
Some lower-leaf yellowing is normal as old leaves age out. Look at the pattern. Scattered yellow leaves dropping over weeks is replacement, not stress.
Mass yellowing across the lower half usually means roots are sitting in heavy wet soil. Check drainage and pull mulch off the trunk before adding more water.
How long should I wait to water after planting?
Water immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Then water deeply every few days for the first 2 weeks while the plant settles in.
After that, drop to once a week for the rest of the first growing season unless rain takes care of it.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Watering guidance verified against Prunus laurocerasus growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
331+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 6a–9b