Cherry laurel
Prunus laurocerasus
Also called Common laurel and English laurel
Garden plant · ShrubsCrushed leaves smell of almonds, which is the cyanide. Clippings are the risk — never leave a pile where an animal can reach it, and never burn them in an enclosed space.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 8 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 6 m tall · 8 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- The Balkans and south-west Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The whole plant; the leaves and seed kernels most of all.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS says to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling it, and names rabbits and rodents alongside dogs. Cut leaves give off cyanide as they wilt — never in a closed space.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.