It’s not hard to grow a laurel hedge from cuttings, it just takes a bit of time. We grew a Laurel hedge for under $10!

Before we moved to the Cariboo, we lived on the ocean. We built a cottage, landscaped the property and basically went crabbing every afternoon.

Since I have always loved to garden, I was delighted to have a blank canvas to work with when it came to landscaping. So. Much. Fun! And we figured out a way to put in a hedge basically for free. Here’s how to grow a privacy hedge from laurel cuttings.

You can use this method to grow one or two of your own laurel bushes or grow enough to create a privacy fence from these evergreens around your home.

Laurels grow well in full sun, but they will tolerate some partial shade as well. They grow in the wet soils found in coastal areas and should only need regular watering after they are established, no matter what zone they are growing in.

How to Grow a Laurel Hedge from Cuttings

Here’s how we started a hedge along the road perimeter of our lot. I am always looking to do things the cheap (or free) way and love being creative when it comes to gardening.

 

 

We found someone with a Laurel hedge and offered to trim it for them. For free, of course.

And we would take away the cut foliage. They were delighted. And so were we!

Once we got their hedge dealt with, we loaded up the trimmings. We only needed a small amount really in order to start our own hedge.

So we took the excess off to the compost pile at the landfill and brought the rest home.

 

Preparing a Nursery Bed for Shrub Cuttings

To me there is not point in preparing the whole hedge planting area, so it is ready to receive the cuttings.

I used a nursery bed; it makes it a lot easier for the first year.

A nursery bed is just an area (say 6 x 8 feet) to hold your cuttings for the short term. Let the laurel leaves live close together in a small bed and it makes life easier for you.

 

You can water it faster and keep an eye on the cuttings much easier.

So get your nursery bed dug, fertilized and raked before going to trim that friends hedge. Make sure your bed is watered well right before planting your cuttings.

Can you plant Laurel cuttings straight into the ground?

Yes you can plant them right into your hedge line. You may however, find it easier to use the nursery bed option to keep the small cuttings closer together.

When to take Laurel cuttings?

The very best time to take cuttings from a Laurel plant is in the Spring time. Do it when the plant is in bud and you will find it very easy to cut your trimmings.

Is Rooting Hormone Necessary?

Rooting hormone is pretty important. I wouldn’t even try rooting cuttings without using rooting hormone – it’s an important part of laurel propagation.

Rooting hormone – a mix of plant hormones called auxins – stimulates new growth and protects freshly cut leaves and stems from fungus. Using it greatly increases your success rate in getting your cuttings to take root and become healthy, strong plants.

This is the rooting product we used when we started the laurel hedge. Rootech is available on Amazon and at some garden centers.

 

 

What Can I Use Instead of Rooting Hormone?

While there are several brands of rooting hormone available commercially, there are also natural alternatives for those who prefer to keep things more organic.

Some rooting hormone alternatives are apple cider vinegar, honey, cinnamon, aspirin, and – believe it or not – saliva. But one of the best natural alternatives to rooting hormone is some good, strong Willow Water.

How do I Make my Own Rooting Hormone?

Here’s how you can make your own rooting hormone using willow

And, here are several more homemade rooting hormone recipes. 

 

How to Take a Cutting from a Shrub

There are really only a couple things you need to know in order to properly take a cutting from a shrub.

• Do it in the spring when the plant is in bud.
• Use sharp pruning shears.
• Find a new bud on a stem and make an angled cut below the bud.
• Immediately dip the cut end into the rooting hormone.
• Immediately plant it. You don’t need to dig a hole; your nursery bed should have soft soil ready. Just stick the cutting in the hole and tamp the soil.
• Water your nursery bed just like you water your other flower beds. Let the Laurel cuttings grow there until the Fall (if they are really putting on growth) or until the following Spring.

 

 

Note: When you dip the cutting into the rooting hormone, really dunk it good. Don’t just use a little bit.

Get a nice thick blob of hormone sticking to the cutting. Take a look at the photo to get an idea of what I mean.

How Long do Laurel Cuttings Take to Root?

The cuttings will begin to grow very quickly, especially if you have used the rooting hormone. If you were to very gently dig up a new plant two weeks after planting it, you will see lots of small nodes and roots beginning to grow.

Carefully replant it and let it settle in again. It won’t be long till you might see a new leaf or bud, but remember the majority of the energy of the laurel plant will be going in to the root system growth.

 

Prepping your Hedge Line for the Cuttings

OK, fast forward to planting time. You’ve given your cuttings several months to get settled and then get established.

They’ve grown a bit and you are ready to get your hedge done.

Run a string line along where you want your hedge planted. Once you know your outside and inside lines for the hedgerow, add lots of great compost or soil.

 

 

There is a lot going on in this photo.

But check out that hedge line that is happening up close to the road – that’s where the Laurel hedge is going to be planted.

There’s lots of great soil placed there, waiting for the cuttings.

A soaker hose (drip hose) is coiled up waiting to be placed along the middle of the hedge line.

The plastic landscape edging being held down is to finish off that gravel path on the right.

That edging can be a bugger to work with; on a sunny day, unroll it and weight down the ends. This will help it lay flat.

We also still needed to cut down the pipes in the yard; we had just had our services finished being installed.

 

 

I put a few temporary posts in and added some caution tape on the road side of the hedge.

I didn’t want dogs or vehicles too close to the Laurel. Then I laid down black plastic in order to keep any weeds down.

 

How to Plant a Laurel Hedge from Cuttings

Finally, we are ready to plant the Laurel cuttings that have been in the nursery bed. We first need to figure out how far apart to space the plants.

How Far Apart to Plant Laurel Hedge?

The ideal spacing for laurel hedge plants is 4 feet apart. That may seem quite far apart but the plants will grow not only tall, but wide. At this spacing, your hedge will definitely grow together, although it will take several years.

 

 

We decided to do it differently, quite a bit tighter than that ideal mature spacing. So, I made an X in the plastic every six inches. NOTE:  My thinking was to plant close together, wait to see how many survived and grew, then cut down every second or third one.

Does that make sense? I wanted to make sure we would have a thick hedge. And we had lots of cuttings, well over 100 of them. If you don’t have as many cuttings, just place the plants farther apart.

Just remember to take the width of your plant into consideration, because these bushes will grow tall and wide!

How Deep to Plant Laurel Cuttings?

Once I had the X cut in, I planted the cutting. The general guideline for planting any shrub is to dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball on the shrub.

So, of course, I didn’t have to dig very big holes for these cuttings. The planting went very quickly. After planting the whole row, we lay down the soaker hose and then added a layer of bark mulch.

And see how healthy those Laurel cuttings look!

How much would each one of these cost in a store if you had to buy them?

Free is always good!

 

Growth of a Laurel Hedge the first year after planting

That photo just above was taken on April 1. Here’s what some of the cuttings looked like just one month later.

 

 

Look at the new growth spurting forth! Those cuttings are obviously loving where they have been planted.

They are getting regular watering and are settling right in to their new home.

 

 

By July, we hadn’t lost any of the plants and there was new growth on all of them. The soaker hose lays underneath the mulch.

Fast forward about 7 years…are you ready for a photo of this hedge? We went by the old place and took photos.

 

 

Looks to me like it needs a really good trimming. You can see the growth over the years – the plants had filled the hedge line in 2 years and then just continued growing.

We did remove every second plant to allow enough room for the remaining Laurel plants to grow together. We did this in their third year.

 

 

We’re glad we planted so tightly – so much better than trying to fill in empty spaces a few years later.

Planting a hedge on your road side is a great way to provide privacy without having to pay thousands of dollars for fencing.

It’s a great option to keep in mind when landscaping. Try to grow a laurel hedge from cuttings – you will be surprised at how well they grow.

And you will be pleased with how much money you can save!

How do I Encourage Laurel Growth?

How to Make Laurel Grow Faster?

Your newly planted hedge needs a regular watering schedule; don’t let the ground dry out too much. It’s important for your hedge plants to settle in and grow, so the less stress they go through the better. 

Irregular watering causes stress to plants, so be sure to water on a regular basis. As your bushes become well settled and established, you can back off the watering. Check the surrounding soil to see how moist it is.

Laurel are known to be quite heat tolerant as well as drought-tolerant (once well established). Laurels will grow well in warmer climates.

Organic fertilizers in granular form can be lightly spread around the base of the plants once or twice a year.

How Tall Does Laurel Grow?

Laurel can grow to a mature height of about 15 ft tall! This conifer hedge is fast growing, both in height and width so it won’t be long until your hedge is completely filled in, giving you lots of privacy.

Think about topping your hedge at about 8 feet or so – remember, eventually you will need to use a ladder for the regular trimming!

Growing Zone Finder

To be sure Laurel will grow in your area, check this zone finder (Canadian).

USDA zone finder. (US)

 

Deer Resistance with Laurel

Deer will graze on Laurel bushes, but there are several types of Laurel hedge that are naturally deer resistant. These are:

• Cherry Laurels
• English Laurel
• Schip Laurel
• Portugese Laurel (also known as Portugal Laurel)

 

Check out some of our other Backyard DIY Projects:

 

Want to read about Pruning Shrubs and Fruit Trees?

Garden paths are a great addition to your yard! Here’s how we built a gravel path in the back yard.

Still landscaping? Why not add a pretty perennial flower bed?

Have a shady spot in the yard crying out for some shade loving plants?

 

The Bottom Line: You can successfully grow a laurel hedge from cuttings!

 

 

 

Originally published May, 2019; updated May 2022

Have you recently found out that you have poison ivy rash? If so, you’re not alone. This is quite common for people who venture outdoors frequently.

Today I wanted to share some tips to help you soothe poison ivy rash, get rid of it and how to try to avoid getting into poison ivy in the first place.

Poison Ivy Rash and How to Get Rid of It

Learn to Identify the Plant

Poison ivy can be identified by leaves of three, but many plants in nature have three leaves. The key is to remember that poison ivy’s three leaves form a pattern. Poison ivy is found all throughout the United States and Canada, aside from Alaska, Hawaii, and certain parts of the West Coast.

You’ll find that poison ivy has one large leaf with two smaller leaves at the base of the stem. Poison ivy is also a vine-like plant that climbs upwards on trees and other surfaces found in nature. It can also grow in the form of shrubs.

 

You can read more about identifying poison ivy plants here.

 

What Does Poison Ivy Rash Look Like?

It’s important to know what the symptoms of poison ivy look like. Most people that have touched Poison Ivy have raised red skin that’s very itchy or sensitive, a kind of contact dermatitis. Exposure can also cause blisters, swelling, and can sometimes lead to infection or pus.

This common poison ivy reaction is due to a resin called urushiol, which many people are allergic to in differing degrees. You’ll also find this resin in plants like poison sumac and poison oak.

The rash won’t usually spread unless the oil from poison ivy touches other areas of your body. It’s rather itchy and while this may be uncomfortable you can usually treat the rash at home.

However, if you’re having an extreme response such as difficulty breathing (which can be a result of inhaling smoke from burning poison ivy) or you have a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit you should seek medical attention immediately.

How to Soothe the Rash

Many people use rubbing alcohol, Benadryl or an oatmeal bath to try to soothe poison ivy rash. The rubbing alcohol will remove the poison ivy oil from your skin.

You may use calamine lotion or a similar over-the-counter topical treatment to help soothe the itch, as well. When all else fails, try some cool, wet compresses. These various ways to soothe the rash are not used to treat the rash; rather they help ease the symptoms such as itchiness or swollen skin.

 

Poison Ivy Rash Treatments

To treat the rash, soak in an oatmeal bath or rub the rash with rubbing alcohol to ease the discomfort. Some people use oral antihistamines to help alleviate the allergic reaction.

It’s that allergic reaction from poison ivy that causes the rash. If you need to, take the antihistamine at night at the very least so that you can sleep.

You can ease the symptoms with hydrocortisone creams, calamine lotion or from an aloe vera plant.

How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Rash

Poison ivy rash will typically last 12 days but can last up to 30 days or more in severe cases. The best way to get rid of it will be to use the products to soothe the skin while keeping from scratching.

While this will be uncomfortable, the rash will only last up to 12 days in most cases and disappear on its own.

Scratching your rash will make the poison ivy spread and in turn, your healing time will take longer.

It can’t be said enough – Try to NOT scratch! Take something to relieve the itchiness instead.

No scratching! Remember, you can spread the rash by touching the oil and then touching other parts of your body.

 

Preventing Poison Ivy Rash

The key to prevention for the long term is to remove any plants from your yard. Be sure to protect yourself when dealing with the poison ivy vines.

Always wear shirts with long sleeves and long pants. For footwear, wear heavy work boots if possible. Never wear open toed shoes or sandals. Cover up completely.

Wear leather or rubber gloves. Be sure to wash all clothing and gloves afterward.

Personally, I would wear my oldest work clothes and put them directly in the garbage after working. Then, wash your hands thoroughly. Then wash them again.

If you do touch poison ivy, quickly wash the affected area with soap and cool water to avoid the rash.

Most pets won’t actually get the rash if they come into contact with the plant, but the oil can stay on pet fur and rub off on you. Try to avoid letting pets run free in areas where there may be poison ivy.

The key to getting rid of this terror is to use this homemade poison ivy weed killer recipe.

All you need is some vinegar, water, salt, and liquid laundry detergent to rid your yard of poison ivy.

Do it when the plants are young because the roots haven’t embedded into the soil deep or long enough to grow back.

Older poison ivy is harder to get rid of, so you may have to treat the poison ivy in your yard again. The plants can be quite stubborn, so keep treating it with the weed killer.

Have too much posion ivy on your property? Just can’t get rid of it all in your yard? 

Then you can mark the spots where you’ve encountered it and try to keep others from trampling through that area.

Now that you have the tips to soothe poison ivy rash, and kill the plants in your yard, you’re well on your way to feeling better and having a yard free of poison ivy.

 

More Articles You May Want to Read

• Here’s that all natural weed killer recipe that works on any kind of weeds.
• Pesky house flies bothering you? Here’s how to rid your home of house flies – naturally!
• Looking to put in a food garden? Here’s the 8 fastest growing vegetables!
• Got hornets? Here’s an easy way to kill wasps and hornets!

 

 

published June 2020; last updated August 2022

Use this best poison ivy killer recipe to get rid of Poison Ivy in the yard – this natural weed killer really works for poison ivy control!

All gardeners love to see plants blossoming and thriving. It brings us joy and makes us feel that the work has been worthwhile. However, there is one type of plant that most gardeners dread seeing in their yard – poison ivy!

Here’s how to identify it and how to get rid of Poison Ivy plants. Then instead of having to use chemicals, I’ve got a recipe for home made Poison Ivy Killer below – and you probably already have the ingredients to whip up a batch! It’s the best poison ivy killer I’ve found.

Hey!  Did you touch Poison Ivy? Have a rash and itch? Here’s how to soothe and heal Poison Ivy Rash

This homemade diy weed killer can be used on every kind of weed. So if killing tought weeds or killing poison ivy is your goal, this recipe is for you.

Some weeds can be killed using hot water or even boiling water; just pour it on the weeds you want gone. However, poison ivy vines often manage to survive this method. 

How to Identify a Poison Ivy Plant/Vine

Many people grew up learning the phrase “leaves of three, leave it be” as a way to identify poison ivy. However, it turns out that many plants (even harmless ones) also have compound leaves that grow in groups of three.

So what’s a better way to properly identify poison ivy

How to identify poison ivy leaves? Look for a three leaf pattern

Yes, poison ivy has three leaves. What is important is how they look and where they are. Poison ivy (with the exception of Virginia Creeper and Boxelder) has three leaflets that grow at the end of the stem. Check the foliage without touching the plant.

If you do touch it, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before anything else. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and gloves to prevent even accidental contact with the plant.

There will be one main leaflet at the end and then two smaller leaflets beneath it on opposite sides of the stalk.

Does Poison Ivy climb?

Poison ivy loves to climb, so you can often find it climbing up tree trunks, fences, and walls.

How does Poison Ivy grow?

It’s NOT always a vine! Whereas other plants may grow in a very specific way, poison ivy is more versatile.

It can creep up a tree, bunch up as a shrub, sprout as a single plant, or even become a thick, green blanket on the ground.

Does Poison Ivy have Thorns?

It doesn’t have thorns but the vine is hairy or fuzzy along the stem. So, take a good look at the plant. If it’s thick and hairy, it might be poison ivy.

 

The leaves turn red in fall and dull after rain

Though the leaves are green early in the season, by fall, they will turn red. They may also lose their usual waxy sheen after it rains, becoming dull in appearance.

Does Poison Ivy have Berries?

Poison ivy will grow very small berries that look like tiny pumpkins. They can vary in color from white or yellowish to blue-black or dark red, depending on the variety.

Can Humans eat Ivy Berries? Are they Edible?

No, never eat the berries of a poison ivy vine! The small berries are poisonous to humans. If you have young children, this is another very good reason to remove poison ivy plants in your yard.

Why You Should Get Rid of Poison Ivy

Now, you may wonder why so many people make a big fuss about poison ivy. Admittedly, although it is called poison ivy, not everyone is actually allergic to it.

Some people can touch poison ivy and not be affected at all. However, others can merely be near or brush up against the tiniest leaf and break out in a painful skin rash or blisters.

In extreme cases, a person may even go into anaphylactic shock! In addition, they may even touch a pet who has rolled around in poison ivy and end up suffering an allergic reaction.

That’s why, even if you aren’t personally allergic to poison ivy, it is a good idea to get rid of it anyway – especially if you have friends, family, or neighbors who may be allergic.

Other extreme cases of infection are possible from scratching the poison ivy rash. While applying aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream (or even an oatmeal bath!) are helpful in soothing the itch, the best remedy for poison ivy rash is to get rid of the plant to begin with!

Another reason you should get on top of things when you discover poison ivy is that it can grow out of control, climbing up and around trees, homes, and other structures to the point where it can actually cause structural damage.

While it takes time for this to happen, it’s better to just nip it in the bud as soon as possible. So use this homemade poison ivy killer recipe and start the removal of this weed in your yard today.

 

A few notes to consider before killing Poison Ivy

Before I give you this homemade poison ivy and weed killer recipe, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The poison ivy plants that are not too old (less than a year old) respond extremely well to this treatment. I highly recommend killing the poison ivy as soon as you see it growing.
• Plants with an older, more established root system will die but may come back a year later. You will have to spray the plants again.
• Simply apply the herbicide to the new growth again. The roots will die of exhaustion because all of their energy will be wasted in putting out all that new growth for nothing.
• Some really old roots are made of mutant zombie stuff, and may need a few more repeat doses.
• Use straight vinegar (no water added) to make the spray mixture more potent.
• This recipe is not JUST for poison ivy. Since the combination basically kills and suffocates plants, it can get rid of many different plants growing in your garden – including weeds and plants you want to keep. It also kills off weed seed.
• We use this same recipe to kill off the Canada Thistle that grows here. You can read more about this weed at the link.

So, go ahead and use it on poison ivy poison oak and any other poisonous plants. Make sure you ONLY spray it on plants you want to get rid of. For best results, use this on a sunny day when there is no rain in the forecast.

Early summer is a great time to use this tough brush killer recipe, but feel free to use it any time of the year, as long as it is dry out.

How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy without Killing other Plants

Yeah, well there’s really only one way to get rid of the vines without killing any other plants. You cannot get any spray onto desirable plants you want to save.

This homemade poison ivy killer cannot discern between “bad” plants and “good” plants. One way around this is to use a small spray bottle and set the spray to a very fine setting. No misting!

You could also protect the plants you want to save by using cardboard to cover them while spraying to avoid any drift.

How does vinegar kill poison ivy?

It’s the acetic acid that kills the vines. Usually vinegar is around 5% acid – high enough to do the job!

How long does it take vinegar to kill poison ivy?

After spraying with the vinegar, it takes about 2 weeks for the poison ivy vines to die. You may find that you need to spray the vines several ties.

Because there are no chemicals involved, it takes longer and you may need to repeat spraying.

Heavy infestations of poison ivy means guaranteed repeat applications of this spray.

What kills poison ivy the fastest?

Chemicals such as Roundup will kill the vines the fastest. If you don’t mind spraying chemical sprays, it will do the job the quickest. However, not only is the following method chemical free, it will also be a lot cheaper.

Let’s move on to the natural recipe for how to get rid of poison ivy.

Homemade Poison Ivy Killer Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups white vinegar
• 1/2 cup of salt (table salt works fine)
• 1 tablespoon liquid detergent or dish soap (I use Dawn) for stick-to-itiveness.

Directions

1. Mix vinegar and salt until the salt is completely dissolved. Stir in liquid dish soap, and pour into a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto the green growing leaves of the plants.
3. Wait a week, then repeat on any survivors. Best time to apply: during a dry spell.

(This recipe is an excerpt from Mrs. Tightwad’s Handbook #5 : QUICK SUBSTITUTES & EASY FORMULAS FOR OVER 100 CANT’-DO-WITHOUT ITEMS) 

 

Poison Ivy Control for Large Areas

Got a larger area of your landscape infested with vines? We use a backpack sprayer like this one, which also allows you to adjust the trigger setting to a mist setting (as long as you want to kill everything in it’s path).

Use the DIY recipe above and multiply it several times to get the amount you need. 

 

How to Dispose of Poison Ivy Safely

Before I let you get to it, I have a few safety tips on how to remove poison ivy and basic weed control.

Always use gloves

First of all, always use gloves when handling poison ivy. As I mentioned before, poison ivy can cause a range of allergic reactions, ranging from a skin irritation to anaphylactic shock.

To prevent this, please wear thick gloves when handling poison ivy. Not everyone is allergic, but even if YOU aren’t, you may touch the plant and then contaminate something that will be touched by someone who IS allergic.

Besides, its better not to test whether you’re allergic, right?

Wear protective clothing

In addition to wearing rubber gloves, you should also wear protective clothing such as boots, shirts with long sleeves and long pants. Long sleeve shirts are a necessity!

That way, you can protect the rest of your skin from coming into direct contact with the poison ivy.

Bag it Up and Throw it Away

Once the poison ivy has died, dig it up as completely as you can (being careful not to let it touch your skin. Try to get as much of the root up as possible so that it can’t grow back.

Place it in a plastic bag, close and tie off the bag, and then dispose of it in the trash.

Wash hands, gloves, and clothing thoroughly

Once you’ve sprayed the poison ivy, be sure to wash your hands, gloves, and clothing thoroughly so that you get rid of any of the oil that makes poison ivy poisonous.

Immediately remove the clothing used and put in the laundry right away. You may need to use some of your spray to clean as the vinegar and degreaser in the detergent can help remove the oil.

Can You Burn Poison Ivy?

Many people burn plants to kill them, but you should NEVER burn a plant that you suspect is poison ivy.

What Happens if you burn Poison Ivy?

It may be tempting but again, never burn poison ivy plants or any plant you think might be a poison ivy vine. Burning poison ivy can cause the oil that is in the poison ivy plant to take to the air and be inhaled into people’s lungs. The same is true of poison oak and poison sumac. All of them will cause lung irritation if their smoke is inhaled. This is due to the presence of urushiol, the oil which causes the poison ivy rash.

Use this homemade poison ivy killer recipe this year!

Now that you know how to get rid of Poison Ivy plants without using herbicides, you can get started tackling these and other weeds in your garden. Let me know how it works for you in the comments below.

Homemade Weed Killer

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• Did you touch Poison Ivy? Have a rash? Here’s how to soothe and heal Poison Ivy Rash
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Originally published 2011; last updated May 2025