Side by side
Spotted laurel or cherry laurel? How to tell them apart
Aucuba japonica · Prunus laurocerasus
How to tell them apart – spotted laurel: evergreen shade shrub with large, glossy, often yellow-speckled leaves and green twigs; cherry laurel: alternate leaves with an (almost) untoothed edge, white flower spikes and black cherries.
How do you recognise them?
- Spotted laurel
- Evergreen shade shrub with large, glossy, often yellow-speckled leaves and green twigs.
- Cherry laurel
- Evergreen, large glossy leaf without spines; upright clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with spotted laurel: alternate leaves with an (almost) untoothed edge, white flower spikes and black cherries.
| Spotted laurel | Cherry laurel | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, 8–20 cm, elliptic, coarsely toothed in the upper half, leathery and glossy; spotted with yellow in many garden forms. | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy light green, 10–20 cm, edge smooth or shallowly toothed. A few small glands underneath near the base. |
| Flowering | Small, purplish-brown flowers in upright clusters in March–April; male and female on separate plants (March–April). | Upright spikes of small white flowers in April–May (April–May). |
| Fruit | Glossy scarlet, elongated berries (about 1.5 cm) on female plants, all winter long; poisonous. | Glossy black little cherries; seeds and leaves are poisonous. |
| Bark | Thick, bright green twigs, even in winter. | Grey-brown and smooth. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 1.5–3 m | Shrub, 3–8 m, usually a shrub or hedge |
| Site | Partial shade or shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | No, an invasive alien species |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Little |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | April–May | May–June and August–September |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Spotted laurel is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Cherry laurel is an invasive non-native species: do not plant it. Pull up seedlings and choose a native species instead.
- Cherry laurel is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
Read on
- Plant profile: Spotted laurel
- Plant profile: Cherry laurel
- Spotted laurel: when and how to prune
- Cherry laurel: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Bay laurel or cherry laurel
- Spotted laurel or Japanese aralia
- Camellia or cherry laurel
- Photinia or cherry laurel
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Cherry laurel or oleaster
- Cherry laurel or leatherleaf viburnum
- Cherry laurel or rhododendron
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.