[10][14] It occurs in the western Mediterranean Basin, France, Spain, and Portugal, and Macaronesia, Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira.

Prunus lusitanica is rare in the wild, found mainly along mountain streams, preferring sunshine and moist but well-drained soils.

[16] Three subspecies are accepted:[3] Prunus lusitanica is grown as an ornamental shrub and is widely planted as a hedge and for screening in gardens and parks.

It is introduced and locally naturalised in the temperate zone in northern France, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Western Canada- including the southern BC Mainland and Vancouver Island From Victoria Up Island through the Cowichan, Nanaimo and Parksville as well as the western United States in California, Oregon and Washington State.

[citation needed] Similar to its relative Prunus laurocerasus, P. lusitanica has been recognized by some botanists and land managers in both western Washington and Oregon as invasive.