How to Grow a Potted Mountain Laurel
Can you grow mountain laurel in a pot? The short answer is, yes. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a large shrub that can reach as much as 20 feet (6 m.) in height. There are dwarf varieties available, however, that are much more suited to container life. “Minuet” is one such variety, a very small shrub that reaches only 3 feet (1 m.) in height and breadth and produces pink flowers with a bright red ring through the middle. “Tinkerbell” is another excellent dwarf variety that grows to only 3 feet (1 m.) tall and wide and produces vibrant pink flowers. These and other dwarf varieties are usually compact enough to live happily for years in large containers.
Caring for Container Grown Mountain Laurels
Potted mountain laurel plants should be treated more or less the same as their cousins in the garden. It’s a common misconception that mountain laurels like deep shade because they tend to grow in the wild under leafy canopies. While it’s true that they will tolerate shade, they actually perform best in dappled to partial sunlight, where they will produce the most blooms. They are not drought tolerant and require regular watering, especially during periods of drought. Remember that container plants always dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. Most mountain laurels are hardy down to USDA zone 5, but container plants are much less resistant to cold. If you live in zone 7 or below, you should provide winter protection by moving your container grown mountain laurels to an unheated garage or shed, or submerging their pots in the ground for the winter.
