Why Your Portuguese Laurels Aren’t Thriving - And How to Turn Them Around

Portuguese laurels are a popular choice for hedging - they’re hardy, evergreen, and produce dense, glossy foliage that looks great year-round. When healthy, they grow steadily and fill out beautifully, providing privacy and structure to your garden.

But sometimes, a section of plants will stall while others nearby are thriving. This uneven growth can be frustrating and puzzling, especially when everything was planted at the same time. The good news is that if the plants are still alive, there’s a very good chance you can get them back on track.

Why Growth Might Have Stalled

When Portuguese laurels slow down or fail to put out new shoots, it’s usually a sign that their root systems are under stress. This can happen for several reasons:

• Too much water - If the soil doesn’t drain well, excess moisture can sit around the roots. This can lead to rot, suffocating the plant and making it harder for it to take up nutrients.
   

• Too little water - During long, dry spells, lack of deep watering can cause the plant to “switch off” and conserve energy instead of growing.
   

• Chemical exposure - Portuguese laurels are sensitive to many lawn sprays and herbicides. Even if the spray hasn’t touched the leaves, it can still make its way into the soil and affect the roots. This can happen from drift when spraying nearby, or from weed sprays applied at the base of the plant.
   

How to Get Them Growing Again

With a few changes and some consistent care, you can often see a noticeable improvement in just one growing season.

1. Check and Adjust Watering

From October, once irrigation is back on, aim for a deep soak every two days for around 20 minutes. As summer heat builds, increase to daily watering to prevent stress. Start reducing frequency from mid-March and turn irrigation off by mid-April. Keep an eye out for pooling or excessive runoff - more water isn’t always better.

2. Refresh the Soil Around Them

The area around your laurels might be due for a refresh. Remove any weedmat, as it can limit water and nutrient exchange once plants are established. Instead, lightly work compost into the soil around the base of each plant, being careful not to pile it up against the stems. This will improve soil health and feed the roots. Finish with a good layer of mulch to protect the soil, retain moisture, and tidy the planting bed.

3. Feed for Recovery

Fertiliser gives your laurels the nutrients they need to kick back into growth. In three weeks, give each plant half a handful of a good-quality granular fertiliser. Repeat the same dose in early December for an extra boost before the peak of summer growth.

4. Avoid Lawn Spraying Near Them

Even a light drift of lawn weed killer can harm Portuguese laurels, especially products targeting root systems. Make it a rule to keep all spraying well away from the hedge line and never apply chemical weed control at the base of these plants.

The Takeaway

Portuguese laurels are tough, but no plant is invincible. If they’ve stalled, it’s a sign they need some targeted attention - and that attention now, just ahead of the spring growth flush, can make all the difference.

By checking your watering, refreshing the soil, feeding strategically, and keeping chemicals away, you’ll give them the best chance to recover and start filling out the way you want. With steady care, they’ll reward you with lush, healthy growth that transforms your fence line into the beautiful, private green screen you pictured when you planted them.