How to Grow Laurustinus - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Laurustinus is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. It has glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of small, white flowers that bloom in the spring. The laurustinus plant is an ornamental plant that is often used as a hedge or in topiary.

How to Grow Laurustinus - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Viburnum tinus
  • Viburnum tomentosum
  • Viburnum x burkwoodii
  • Viburnum x rhytidophylloides
  • Viburnum x bodnantense

Things to Know

  • Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall.
  • It has dark green, glossy leaves and showy white flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring.
  • Laurustinus is native to the Mediterranean region and is commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • Laurustinus is relatively low maintenance and is not susceptible to many pests or diseases.
  • Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this shrub.
  • It can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
  • Laurustinus is an important nectar source for bees and other pollinators.
  • The berries are poisonous to humans but are beloved by birds.
  • This shrub has a long history of uses in folk medicine.

Planting Process

  1. For laurustinus, first step is to grow from seed.
  2. You need to stratify or cold-treat the seeds for best results.
  3. Sow the seeds in late winter or early spring.
  4. Keep the seedlings moist and in partial shade.
  5. Transplant the seedlings to their permanent location when they are large enough to handle.
  6. Space the plants about 3 feet apart.
  7. Laurustinus prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  8. Once established, laurustinus is quite drought tolerant.
  9. This plant can suffer from aphids and scale, so keep an eye out for these pests.
  10. Prune laurustinus after flowering to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, laurustinus like well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade position in garden. It is not fussy about soil type, but it will not tolerate wet soil. If the soil is too heavy, it is best to grow laurustinus in a raised bed or mound.

Light requirement

Not too different with other plants, laurustinus needs sunlight to grow. It should be planted in an area that gets full sun to partial sun each day. When grown in full sun, the leaves of the laurustinus will be a darker green than when it's grown in partial sun.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature on Mount St. Helens is usually cool and wet. The mountain is located in an area that experiences a lot of precipitation, so the conditions are often foggy and wet. In the summer, the temperatures can be warm, but it is usually cool at night.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant species is around 60-70%. If the humidity drops below 60%, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity remains below 60% for an extended period of time, the plant will eventually die.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this plant does best with a root fertilizer. Laurustinus is an evergreen, so it is best to fertilize in the spring. A root fertilizer will help the laurustinus to produce new growth.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for a laurustinus plant. Pruning helps to encourage new growth, and it also helps to keep the plant healthy and strong. When pruning a laurustinus plant, it is important to be careful not to damage the plant. Laurustinus plants are sometimes sensitive to pruning, so it is important to be gentle when pruning them.

About Propagating

Propagation of laurustinus is typically done through rooting of semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer. The cuttings should be taken from new growth, and each cutting should have at least 2-3 nodes. After taking the cuttings, remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a pots filled with a well-drained potting mix, and water well. Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks. Once rooted, laurustinus can be transplanted into the garden in spring.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer months, with some new growth happening in the fall. However, growth slows down and eventually stops during the winter months. Laurustinus is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that can reach up to 10 feet in height. It is often used as a hedge or screen plant.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are root rot and dieback. Root rot is caused by too much water and dieback is caused by too little water. If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to turn yellow and then brown. If the plant is getting too much water, the leaves will start to turn yellow and then drop off.

Tips on Growing

  • If you are growing laurustinus in a pot, make sure it has drainage holes.
  • Laurustinus likes full sun or partial shade.
  • Water laurustinus regularly, but do not overwater. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.
  • Fertilize laurustinus monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune laurustinus regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Laurustinus is susceptible to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Treat early with a fungicide if needed.
  • Scale and mealybugs can also be a problem. Treat with an insecticide if necessary.
  • Propagate laurustinus by taking semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
  • Laurustinus can also be propagated from seed, but it can take several years for the plant to mature.
  • Laurustinus is an evergreen shrub that can reach

Related Plants

  • Truustinus (laurustinus)
  • Vibrunum (laurustinus)
  • Rhus (laurustinus)
  • Prostanthera (laurustinus)
  • Olearia (laurustinus)
  • Myocastor (laurustinus)
  • Malus (laurustinus)
  • Laurus (laurustinus)
  • Idesia (laurustinus)
  • Daphne (laurustinus)

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