To encourage your laurel to grow taller, focus on providing optimal growing conditions through consistent nutrition, adequate water, healthy soil, weed control, and strategic pruning.
Essential Strategies for Taller Laurel Growth
Achieving greater height in your laurel plants involves a combination of best practices that support robust growth and direct the plant's energy upwards.
Nourish with Fertiliser
Fertilising your laurel is a direct way to provide the nutrients it needs for vigorous growth. If your plants appear to be struggling or simply not growing as quickly as you'd like, applying a suitable fertiliser can make a significant difference.
- Choose the Right Type: Opt for a balanced, slow-release granular fertiliser (e.g., 10-10-10 or a slightly nitrogen-rich formula for foliage growth) in spring. Alternatively, a liquid feed can provide a quicker boost.
- Application: Follow package instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilisation, which can harm the plant. Spread granular fertiliser evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the trunk, and water it in thoroughly.
- Timing: The best time to fertilise is typically in early spring as new growth begins, and again in mid-summer if needed, especially for young or establishing plants.
- For more details on plant nutrition, see this guide on essential plant nutrients.
Consistent Watering is Key
Just like all living organisms, plants require water to grow. Adequate and consistent watering is fundamental for laurel development, especially during dry periods and for newly planted specimens.
- Deep Watering: Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallowly and often. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making the plant more resilient.
- Monitor Soil Moisture: Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch or two into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.
- Drought Periods: During hot, dry spells, laurels will need more frequent watering. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.
- Learn more about proper watering techniques at successful plant watering tips.
Enrich Soil with Compost
Laurel is quite adaptable and thrives in most soil types, but integrating layers of organic compost significantly improves soil structure, fertility, and moisture retention, providing an ideal environment for growth.
- Improve Soil Health: Compost enriches the soil with vital nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, creating a healthier root zone where plants can absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.
- Application Method: Spread a 2-3 inch layer of well-rotted compost around the base of your laurel plants annually, preferably in spring or autumn. Gently work it into the topsoil without disturbing the roots too much.
- Benefits: Compost helps regulate soil temperature, reduces soil compaction, and enhances drainage in heavy soils while improving water retention in sandy soils.
- Discover the benefits of compost for your garden at composting for beginners.
Combat Weeds Effectively
Weeds are fierce competitors for water, nutrients, and sunlight, all of which are crucial for your laurel's growth. Keeping weeds at bay ensures that all available resources go directly to your laurel, promoting stronger, taller development.
- Manual Removal: Regularly hand-pulling weeds is effective, especially when they are small. This prevents them from establishing deep root systems.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or bark) around your laurel. Mulch suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight and also helps retain soil moisture.
- Weed Barriers: For persistent weeds, consider using a landscape fabric beneath your mulch layer, being careful not to smother the laurel's base.
- Find comprehensive weed control strategies at effective weed management.
Strategic Pruning for Vertical Growth
While it might seem counterintuitive, pruning your laurel back is essential for encouraging it to grow taller and develop a robust, vertical structure. This technique helps redirect the plant's energy.
- Remove Lower Branches: Prune away any lower, weak, or outward-growing branches. This encourages the plant to put more energy into developing its main, vertical stems.
- Select a Leader: For hedges or individual plants, identify the strongest, straightest upward-growing shoot to be the main leader. Remove any competing leaders to concentrate growth on this single stem.
- Encourage Upward Shoots: When pruning, cut just above an outward-facing bud or branch to encourage lateral growth, and above an inward-facing or upward-facing bud to encourage height. For taller growth, prioritize cuts that promote upward development.
- Timing: The best time for pruning laurels is usually in late spring or early summer after the risk of hard frosts has passed.
- Learn specific pruning techniques for height at pruning for plant height.
Integrated Approach to Laurel Care
Combining these practices consistently will yield the best results for making your laurel grow taller. It's an ongoing commitment to nurturing your plants for robust and healthy vertical development.
| Action | Benefit | Timing/Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Fertilise | Provides essential nutrients for growth | Early spring, mid-summer (if needed) |
| Water Consistently | Ensures hydration for cell expansion | Regularly, especially in dry spells |
| Add Compost | Improves soil structure and nutrient availability | Annually (spring or autumn) |
| Control Weeds | Eliminates competition for resources | Ongoing, as weeds appear |
| Prune Strategically | Redirects energy for upward growth | Late spring/early summer |
