To make Laurel grow faster, focus on the conditions that support healthy growth rather than relying on a single treatment. Improve the soil and drainage, water consistently during dry periods, feed when nutrients are needed, mulch around the base, control competing weeds and prune correctly. Newly planted Laurel may grow slowly at first while its roots become established.
Laurel is a popular choice for UK gardens because it is evergreen, versatile and capable of developing dense foliage for privacy and screening. However, if your Laurel seems to be growing slowly or your hedge isn't filling out as quickly as you'd hoped, there may be ways to improve its growing conditions.
If you're wondering how to make a Laurel hedge grow faster, the answer isn't simply to add more fertiliser or water. Healthy growth depends on several factors working together, including soil, moisture, light, nutrients and ongoing care.
Here are seven practical ways to encourage stronger, healthier Laurel growth.
7 Ways to Encourage Faster, Healthier Laurel Growth
1. Improve the Soil and Growing Conditions
Healthy roots provide the foundation for healthy growth. Before planting Laurel, make sure the soil is reasonably fertile, well drained and free from excessive compaction.
Laurel can tolerate a range of soil conditions, but persistently waterlogged soil can restrict root development and contribute to poor plant health. Conversely, very dry soil can leave plants stressed and reduce new growth.
If the soil is poor, incorporating suitable organic matter before planting can improve its structure and help it retain moisture. Avoid heavily compacting the soil around the roots, as dense soil can restrict the movement of water and air.
The planting position matters too. Laurel generally performs well in full sun or partial shade, although particularly low-light conditions can affect how vigorously plants grow.
2. Water Laurel Correctly During Dry Periods
Water is especially important while Laurel is becoming established.
Newly planted plants have a smaller root system and may struggle to access enough moisture, particularly during prolonged dry weather. Check the soil regularly and water when necessary rather than relying entirely on rainfall.
Thorough watering helps moisture reach the root zone. However, avoid keeping the soil permanently saturated, as excessive moisture can reduce oxygen around the roots and contribute to root problems.
Pay particular attention during dry spells, warm weather and the first growing season after planting. As the roots become established, plants should become better able to access moisture from the surrounding soil.
3. Feed Laurel to Support Healthy Growth
Laurel needs nutrients to produce healthy foliage and new growth, particularly where the soil is lacking in essential nutrients.
A suitable fertiliser can support growth during the active growing season, but more fertiliser does not automatically mean faster growth. Applying excessive amounts can damage the roots and encourage weak or unbalanced growth.
If your Laurel is struggling despite having adequate water and suitable light, consider the condition of the soil before repeatedly adding fertiliser. Where feeding is appropriate, follow the product instructions and avoid applying more than recommended.
For newly planted Laurel, prioritising good soil preparation and root establishment is often more important than trying to force rapid top growth.
4. Mulch Around the Base to Retain Moisture
A suitable layer of organic mulch around the base of your Laurel can help maintain more consistent soil conditions.
Mulching can help to:
- retain moisture during dry periods
- reduce competition from weeds
- protect the soil surface from drying out
- gradually add organic matter as the mulch breaks down
Avoid piling mulch directly against the stems. Leaving a small gap around the base helps prevent excessive moisture from remaining in contact with the plant.
Mulching can be particularly helpful for newly planted hedges because maintaining consistent soil moisture supports root establishment.
5. Keep Weeds and Grass Away From the Hedge
Weeds and grass growing around Laurel compete with the plants for water, nutrients and space.
This competition can be especially significant when a hedge is newly planted because the young plants have not yet developed an extensive root system.
Keep the area immediately surrounding the plants reasonably clear and prevent vigorous weeds or grass from becoming established right alongside the hedge.
You don't need to leave the entire area bare. The aim is simply to reduce unnecessary competition while the Laurel develops a stronger root system.
6. Prune Laurel to Encourage Fuller Growth
Pruning might seem counterproductive when you're trying to make Laurel grow faster, but appropriate pruning can encourage branching and help create a fuller, more evenly shaped hedge.
The aim shouldn't simply be to increase the height of the plants. If your goal is privacy, a dense hedge with plenty of side growth is often more useful than a tall but sparse one.
Avoid repeatedly cutting healthy new growth without a clear reason. Instead, prune according to the age, condition and desired shape of the hedge.
Knowing how to prune a Laurel hedge correctly can help encourage a fuller shape without putting unnecessary stress on the plants..
7. Give Newly Planted Laurel Time to Establish
One of the most common reasons gardeners become concerned about slow Laurel growth is expecting significant visible growth immediately after planting.
When you first plant Laurel as part of a new hedge, the plants need time to establish their roots in their new surroundings. This is true of hedging plants generally, as they need to settle into the soil before they can produce vigorous growth above ground.
During this period, the plant is allocating resources to root development as well as maintaining its existing foliage.
As a result, visible growth above ground may initially be limited. This can be particularly noticeable after transplanting or during periods of dry, cold or otherwise stressful weather.
Good soil preparation, appropriate watering and weed control can all support establishment, but patience is important too.
If your plants remain healthy and show no obvious signs of stress, a period of slower visible growth does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
Why is My Laurel Hedge Not Growing? Common Causes to Check
If your Laurel hedge is not growing, don't immediately assume that it needs more fertiliser. Slow growth can have several causes, and identifying the underlying problem is more useful than simply adding more feed.
|
What you notice |
Possible cause |
What to check |
|
Very little new growth |
Slow establishment or unsuitable conditions |
Soil, watering and root development |
|
Yellowing foliage |
Moisture or nutrient problems |
Soil condition and watering |
|
Brown or stressed leaves |
Dry conditions or environmental stress |
Soil moisture and recent weather |
|
Sparse growth |
Light, pruning or establishment issues |
Growing position and pruning |
|
Poor growth despite regular watering |
Drainage or root problems |
Whether the soil remains waterlogged |
|
Slow growth around the base |
Competition from weeds or grass |
Clear competing vegetation |
|
Uneven growth along the hedge |
Differences in light or soil conditions |
Compare individual planting positions |
Look at the overall health of the plants rather than judging progress solely by height. Healthy foliage, new shoots and gradual establishment can all indicate that your Laurel is developing normally.
If several plants are showing the same problem, look at the conditions affecting the whole hedge. If only one or two plants are struggling, there may be a localised issue with their roots, soil, moisture or planting position.
How Long Does Newly Planted Laurel Take to Establish?
Newly planted Laurel may take time to settle into its new position before producing vigorous visible growth.
The speed of establishment can vary depending on factors such as:
- plant size and age
- planting conditions
- soil quality and drainage
- moisture levels
- available sunlight
- weather conditions
- how well the roots were established before planting
Rather than expecting a newly planted hedge to put on substantial height immediately, look for signs that the plants are healthy and settling in. New shoots, healthy foliage and gradually increasing growth are positive signs.
If you've recently planted Laurel, maintaining suitable soil moisture and reducing competition from weeds can give the roots the best possible conditions to establish.
How to Make Laurel Grow Thicker and Fuller
If your goal is a dense privacy hedge, faster vertical growth isn't necessarily the most important factor.
A fuller Laurel hedge needs healthy side growth and branching as well as height. Appropriate pruning can help encourage branching, while good soil, sufficient moisture and suitable light provide the conditions needed for new growth.
Plant spacing also matters when establishing a new hedge. Plants that are positioned appropriately for their eventual size have room to develop without excessive competition.
Cherry Laurel is a popular choice for evergreen hedging, particularly where you want to create a dense screen for privacy.
If you're still deciding which Laurel is best for your garden, the right choice will depend on the space you have available, the height you want to achieve and how quickly you want the hedge to establish.
Choosing the best Laurel hedge for your UK garden starts with understanding which variety is most suitable for your planting conditions.
When Should You Be Concerned About Slow Laurel Growth?
Some variation in growth is perfectly normal, particularly after planting. However, slow growth combined with other symptoms may indicate that the plants need closer attention.
Look out for:
- widespread yellowing or browning
- significant leaf loss
- dying or bare branches
- persistent wilting
- obvious signs of pests or disease
- plants failing to establish despite appropriate care
- soil that remains excessively wet
- soil becoming very dry despite regular watering
Before applying additional fertiliser or carrying out heavy pruning, check the basic growing conditions. Correcting a problem with water, drainage, soil or competition may be more beneficial than trying to stimulate growth artificially.
Give Your Laurel Hedge the Best Start
The best way to encourage faster Laurel growth is to create the conditions in which the plants can grow naturally and healthily. Good soil, appropriate watering, suitable light, sensible feeding, weed control and careful pruning all have a role to play.
If your hedge has only recently been planted, don't be discouraged by slower visible growth. Establishing a healthy root system takes time, and consistent aftercare can help your Laurel settle and develop.
With the right conditions and a little patience, your Laurel can gradually develop into the dense, healthy evergreen hedge you're looking for.
If you're ready to plant or expand your hedge, Everything Plants has a range of Laurel plants to help you find an option suited to your garden and planting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make Laurel grow faster?
Give Laurel the conditions it needs for healthy growth. This includes well-drained soil, appropriate moisture, sufficient light, suitable nutrients and good weed control. Correct pruning can also encourage fuller growth, while newly planted Laurel needs time to establish its roots.
Why is my Laurel hedge not growing?
Slow growth can be caused by poor soil, insufficient or excessive moisture, limited light, weed competition, poor root establishment or other plant health problems. Check the growing conditions before assuming the hedge needs more fertiliser.
How can I make a Laurel hedge grow faster?
Prepare the soil properly, maintain suitable moisture during dry periods, reduce competition from weeds and grass, provide appropriate light and feed only when necessary. Newly planted Laurel may also need time to establish before producing significant new growth.
Does pruning make Laurel grow faster?
Correct pruning can encourage branching and help create a fuller hedge, but pruning shouldn't be used simply to force rapid growth. The timing and extent of pruning should suit the age, condition and desired shape of the plants.
Does fertiliser help Laurel grow faster?
Fertiliser can support healthy growth where nutrients are lacking, but applying more fertiliser does not automatically produce faster growth. Excessive feeding can damage plants, so it is better to address the overall growing conditions first.
