Side by side
Camellia or cherry laurel? How to tell them apart
Camellia japonica · Prunus laurocerasus
How to tell them apart – camellia: evergreen shrub with thick, glossy dark green leaves and large, rose-like flowers from February to April; cherry laurel: larger, thinner leaves and white flower spikes.
How do you recognise them?
- Camellia
- Evergreen shrub with thick, glossy dark green leaves and large, rose-like flowers from February to April.
- Cherry laurel
- Evergreen, large glossy leaf without spines; upright clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with camellia: larger, thinner leaves and white flower spikes.
| Camellia | Cherry laurel | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 5–10 cm, oval with a pointed tip, finely toothed, leathery and highly glossy. | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy light green, 10–20 cm, edge smooth or shallowly toothed. A few small glands underneath near the base. |
| Flowering | Large (6–12 cm) white, pink or red flowers, single or double; they drop off whole (February–April). | Upright spikes of small white flowers in April–May (April–May). |
| Fruit | Round, woody capsules. | Glossy black little cherries; seeds and leaves are poisonous. |
| Bark | Smooth, greyish-brown. | Grey-brown and smooth. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 2–5 m | Shrub, 3–8 m, usually a shrub or hedge |
| Site | Partial shade or shade, acid 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 | Little |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | April–May | May–June and August–September |
What does it mean for your garden?
- 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: Camellia
- Plant profile: Cherry laurel
- Camellia: when and how to prune
- Cherry laurel: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Bay laurel or cherry laurel
- Camellia or rhododendron
- Spotted laurel 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.