Mountain Laurel plant profile
Kalmia latifolia
A perennial shrub for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Mountain Laurel
Plant this broadleaf evergreen in spring or early fall, when soil is warm enough for root growth but the plant is not under summer heat stress. Extension guidance rates fall (early enough for roots to establish before the ground freezes) and spring as the two best planting windows for shrubs.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Mountain Laurel in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 48 to 96 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: lace bugs, borers, scale, leaf spot, high flammability, poisonous foliage.
Next steps
Continue with Mountain Laurel
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Planting Shrubs Correctly (HGIC 1052)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.