When caring for laurels, distinguish between the true laurel and the cherry laurel, which is often used for planting laurel hedges. Both can tend towards browning of the leaves for different reasons.
Protect laurel from severe drought
The laurel and the cherry laurel are both relatively sensitive to extended periods of drought. In particular, be careful with:
- Laurels on the balcony
- Bay leaves in the pot
- Laurel hedges on sunny slopes
Basically, real bay laurel needs a lot of heat, since it is more likely to occur in nature in Mediterranean locations. However, it should be watered sufficiently to avoid dry damage such as brown leaves. Cherry laurel requires loose soil that is easy for roots to penetrate without waterlogging, but should be watered regularly and extensively in sunny locations during dry periods in summer.
Be careful when hibernating
Only the real laurel is sensitive to frost in this country, which is why it should be overwintered in a suitable winter quarters. If laurel or cherry laurel get brown leaves after the winter and shed them, the plants do not necessarily have to be completely dead. Rather, it can also be a case of drought damage due to a lack of liquid water in the soil. Cut the affected shrubs back to the main branches, sometimes young leaves will soon appear again.
tips and tricks
If possible, do not cut the laurel and cherry laurel with electric hedge trimmers, otherwise the halved leaves will die and remain on the plants as ugly brown spots. It is better to make targeted cuts with manual pruning shears.