Is Laurel Hedging Poisonous?

Which types of Laurel hedging are poisonous?

The name “Laurel” can be confusing because it is used for several different plants. The main Laurel hedges sold in the UK are not all botanically the same.

Cherry Laurel, Upright Laurel and Compact Laurel are all forms of Prunus laurocerasus. Portuguese Laurel is Prunus lusitanica. These Prunus Laurels should be treated as harmful if eaten. The RHS also lists Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel as potentially harmful and advises precautions around pets.

Sweet Bay deserves particular attention because it is a completely different plant. Correctly identified Laurus nobilis produces the aromatic leaves traditionally used in cooking. Cherry Laurel plants, Portuguese Laurel plants and other Prunus Laurels must never be substituted for bay leaves.

The HTA also advises that the ornamental fruit of female Laurus nobilis plants is not intended for eating, so “culinary bay” should not be interpreted as meaning every part of the plant is edible.

Why can Cherry and Portuguese Laurel be harmful if eaten?

Cherry Laurel and related Prunus species contain compounds known as cyanogenic glycosides. These can produce hydrogen cyanide when plant tissue is damaged through chewing, crushing, grinding or digestion.

That distinction is useful. The concern is primarily ingestion of the plant, not simply having a healthy Laurel hedge growing in the garden.

There is no useful universal quantity that can be described as a “safe amount” to eat. The plant species, part of the plant, amount consumed and the person or animal involved can all affect the risk. Laurel should therefore be treated as an ornamental plant rather than something to taste or forage from.

Is Laurel hedging poisonous to dogs and other pets?

Cherry Laurel and related Prunus plants can be harmful to dogs and other pets if eaten. The RHS specifically lists dogs, rabbits and rodents under its harmful-if-eaten warning for Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel. Dogs Trust also advises contacting a vet straight away if you think a dog has eaten or chewed a poisonous plant.

It is useful, however, to keep the risk in perspective rather than suggesting that simply having a Laurel hedge is dangerous.

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service reports that severe cyanide poisoning from cyanogenic plants is uncommon in dogs and cats. Gastrointestinal effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort are more commonly reported, although symptoms can sometimes be pronounced. That does not make deliberate or accidental ingestion safe.

If you know or suspect that your dog or another pet has eaten Laurel, contact your vet promptly and tell them, if possible, which plant was eaten and approximately how much.

Is Laurel hedging safe around children?

The principal precaution with children is to prevent them from eating the leaves, berries or other plant material.

A Laurel hedge does not normally need to be avoided simply because children use the garden, but young children should be taught not to eat unidentified garden plants and fallen berries or freshly cut Laurel should not be left where they are likely to be picked up.

After trimming, rake up loose leaves and cut branches rather than leaving them around lawns, paths or play areas.

If Laurel plant material is swallowed, seek appropriate medical advice rather than waiting to see whether symptoms develop.

Is Laurel poisonous to horses, sheep and other livestock?

Livestock require greater caution than most household pets.

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service notes that ruminants are more efficient at breaking down plant material and are therefore at greater risk from plants containing cyanogenic glycosides.

For that reason, Cherry Laurel, Portuguese Laurel and other Prunus Laurels are not plants I would recommend for a boundary where horses, sheep, cattle or other grazing animals can browse the foliage.

Pruned Laurel branches should also never be thrown into a paddock or livestock area. If animals have unrestricted access to the boundary, choosing a hedge specifically suited to livestock is the safer option.

Can you safely prune and shred Laurel?

Yes. Laurel hedging can be pruned normally, although gloves are sensible when handling cut plant material and all clippings should be collected afterwards.

One concern sometimes raised is the release of hydrogen cyanide when Laurel leaves are cut or shredded. The RHS advises that shredded Cherry and Portuguese Laurel leaves release only very small amounts and that encountering a harmful dose during normal gardening operations is highly unlikely because the gas disperses rapidly.

As a sensible precaution, shred Laurel outdoors or in an open-fronted building, rather than processing large quantities of freshly cut material in a confined, poorly ventilated space.

This also makes good practical sense when dealing with a large hedge: collect cuttings as you work and prevent pets or livestock from gaining access to piles of freshly cut material.

Should you avoid Laurel hedging if you have pets or children?

Not necessarily. Laurel remains a widely used evergreen hedge, and the important distinction is between a plant being harmful if eaten and a plant presenting a danger simply by growing in a garden.

For a normal domestic garden where children are supervised, pets do not habitually chew plants and pruning waste is cleared away, Laurel can still be a practical hedging choice.

I would be more cautious where a dog persistently eats garden plants, very young children have unrestricted access to fallen plant material, or grazing livestock can reach the hedge. In those situations, choosing a different hedging species may be the simpler option.

If you are comparing the different types, the HPD Laurel range includes Cherry, Portuguese, Upright, Compact and Sweet Bay Laurel, while the complete care guide covers planting, watering, pruning and ongoing maintenance.