How Fast Do Laurels Grow? A Complete Guide

Laurels are popular evergreen shrubs that are often used for hedges and screening. With their lustrous dark green leaves and dense branching habit laurels provide excellent privacy and curb appeal. But one downside of laurels is their relatively slow growth rate compared to other hedging plants. If you want a laurel hedge to establish quickly it’s helpful to understand how fast different laurel species grow and what factors affect their growth rate.

Laurel Growth Rates by Variety

Not all laurels grow at the same pace Growth rate depends on the particular laurel species and cultivar Here are the approximate growth rates for common laurel varieties

• Bay laurel – Slow growing at around 15 to 30 cm per year.

• Caucasian laurel – Fast growing at 30 to 60 cm annually.

• Common laurel – Also fast growing at 30 to 60 cm per year.

• Compact laurel – Very slow, only around 10 to 20 cm yearly.

• Etna laurel – Moderate growth rate of 20 to 40 cm per year.

• Portugal laurel – Moderate, typically 20 to 40 cm each year.

• Spotted laurel – Grows at a moderate pace of 20 to 40 cm annually.

So caucasian, common, and portugal laurel varieties tend to be the fastest growing. Compact laurel is the slowest. Bay laurel, etna, and spotted are moderate in growth speed.

Factors Affecting Laurel Growth Rate

The maximum growth rates above assume ideal growing conditions. But there are various factors that affect how fast your laurel hedge grows including:

• Soil conditions – Laurels want slightly acidic, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Poor soil limits growth.

• Watering – Insufficient water during dry periods stresses plants and slows growth.

• Sunlight – Full sun is ideal. Too much shade reduces laurel growth speed.

• Pruning – Regular correct pruning invigorates growth. Little or no pruning slows hedges down.

• Weed competition – Weeds rob water and nutrients, negatively impacting laurel growth.

• Pests or diseases – Health issues divert energy away from growth.

• Age of hedge – Younger hedges grow faster once established. Older hedges slow down.

• Variety – As noted above, some laurel species just naturally grow faster.

• Root establishment – Until roots establish the first year, growth is slower.

By providing optimal soil, water, light, and care you can maximize growth rate. But expect somewhat slower growth the first year as the root system develops. Older, neglected hedges may need rejuvenation to regrow vigorously.

Tips for Faster Laurel Growth

If your laurel hedge seems stunted, there are ways to accelerate its growth. Here are some tips for invigorating laurels:

• Improve soil – Test soil pH and add sulfur or cottonseed meal to lower pH if too alkaline. Mix in copious compost or manure.

• Water deeply – Drought stressed laurels won’t grow. Water new hedges weekly and established ones during dry periods.

• Fertilize regularly – Feed with a balanced fertilizer like Growmore in early spring and midsummer.

• Prune properly – Prune out dead wood in early spring. Lightly trim hedges after main growth spurt.

• Control pests – Spider mites, scale and other sap suckers slow growth. Use appropriate treatments.

• Check for disease – Laurel wilt causes dieback. Prune out affected branches. Apply fungicides.

• Mulch – Mulching retains moisture and suppresses weeds. Both bolster growth.

• Rejuvenate old hedges – Hard prune old branches to just above live wood to stimulate new growth.

With attentive care and management, it’s realistic to achieve growth of 60 cm or more per year with faster growing laurel varieties. But be patient the first year or two as the root system develops.

When to Expect the Most Growth

Laurel growth follows a yearly cycle. The majority of growth occurs in spring and early summer after new leaves emerge. Growth slows down in hottest summer months and ceases altogether in winter once leaves drop.

Follow this general timeline for laurel growth patterns:

• Winter – No growth occurs.

• Early spring – Leaves emerge. Minimal growth starts.

• Mid spring – Warmer temperatures accelerate growth.

• Late spring – Peak growth period. Most expansion occurs now.

• Early summer – Still actively growing but slows down some.

• Midsummer – Growth significantly decreases due to heat stress.

• Late summer/early fall – Modest growth resumes as temperatures cool.

• Fall – Growth winding down as colder weather begins.

• Early winter – Leaves drop and plants go dormant. No growth.

So for fastest hedge establishment, plant laurels in early spring. This allows the most growth before summer slow down. Supply ample water during first year dry periods.

Growth Rate of Juvenile vs. Mature Laurel Plants

Younger, juvenile laurel plants that are still developing their mature form typically grow faster than older, established laurels. A hedge planted with small 1-2 feet potted laurels often grows quicker initially than a mature hedge. But older laurel hedges can regain vigorous growth with proper care.

Here’s a general comparison of growth rate by plant age:

• First year laurels – Often little growth as roots establish.

• 2-5 year old plants – Rapid growth phase to reach mature size. Up to 60 cm per year.

• Mature plants – Growth rate depends on variety, but declines from juvenile peak.

• Neglected older hedges – Growth dramatically slows. Needs rejuvenation.

So for fastest hedge formation, opt for younger 2-5 year old laurel plants. But mature plants can be trained back into vigorous growth.

Achieving Maximum Growth Rate

Getting the fastest laurel growth requires providing ideal soil, water, light, and care. Here’s a summary checklist for optimizing laurel growth rate:

• Prepare planting beds properly – Improve soil, mulch, control weeds.

• Select faster growing varieties – Common or Portuguese laurel.

• Buy younger 2-5 year old plants. Avoid older neglected plants.

• Plant in early spring allowing most growth before summer.

• Water deeply and frequently during first year to establish roots.

• Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and midsummer.

• Prune regularly – Remove dead wood, shape lightly after growth spurts.

• Control pests and disease. Treat quickly to avoid stunting growth.

• Rejuvenate older hedges – Renew with hard pruning just above live wood.

Follow these tips and you can achieve laurel growth of 60 cm or more per year. But growth the first year will be constrained as roots establish. Patience and attentive care is required to maximize laurel growth rate in your landscape.