How to Propagate Bay Laurel Plant: Propogation Made Easy

Bay laurel, also known as sweet bay or simply laurel, is an aromatic evergreen tree that is highly valued for its culinary and ornamental uses. Native to the Mediterranean region, bay laurel is quite easy to grow in suitable climates and can also be grown indoors in colder areas. With its glossy green leaves that emit a pleasant fragrance when crushed, it’s no wonder why the bay laurel is a beloved plant.

If you already have a bay laurel tree, propagating it to get more plants is a great idea. Not only is this a cost-effective way to multiply your bay laurel, but propagating your own plants ensures you end up with specimens that are already well-suited to your growing conditions.

Below I’ll walk through the step-by-step process for successfully propagating bay laurel from cuttings While it does require some patience, propagating bay laurel is very achievable for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Let’s get started!

When to Take Bay Laurel Cuttings

Timing is crucial when taking cuttings for propagation For bay laurel, it’s best to take cuttings in mid to late summer when the branches have semi-hardened but are still green and flexible This is generally between July and September. Avoid taking cuttings from thin, soft new growth or mature, woody branches.

Selecting the Right Bay Laurel Cuttings

You’ll have the best chance of success if you select a strong, healthy “mother plant” to take your cuttings from. Look for a bay laurel tree that is free of disease and insect infestations. It should not have signs of stress like yellowing or wilting leaves either.

When selecting which branches to take cuttings from, target side shoots that are about 4-6 inches long and around the thickness of a pencil. Cuttings that are too thin generally have lower survival rates.

For each cutting, use bypass pruners to snip off the stem at a 45 degree angle. Try to retain some of the “heel” or bark tissue at the bottom of the cutting to increase the chance of root formation.

Preparing the Cuttings

Before sticking your bay laurel cuttings into soil or water you’ll need to do some prep work

• Remove all but the top few leaves from each cutting. This reduces moisture loss.

• optionally dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone. This encourages faster root growth.

• Clean your pruning tools with a diluted bleach solution to prevent disease spread.

• Use fresh potting mix and clean containers to avoid fungus or mold.

Rooting Bay Laurel Cuttings in Soil

Rooting bay laurel cuttings in a soil medium has a better success rate than water, but it does take longer. Here’s how to do it:

• Fill small pots with moistened potting mix. Create a hole and insert each cutting about halfway down.

• Firm the soil gently around the base of each cutting. Water the pots thoroughly until dripping.

• Cover the pots with plastic bags or cloches to maintain high humidity. Place in bright indirect light.

• Check soil moisture daily. Water when the top inch becomes dry. Avoid oversaturation.

• Remove plastic covering gradually over 4-6 weeks to harden off.

• Transplant into larger containers after 12-16 weeks when roots are well established.

Rooting Bay Laurel Cuttings in Water

While slower to form full roots, bay laurel cuttings can be rooted directly in water. Here’s the simple process:

• Prepare each cutting as previously described. No need for rooting hormone in water.

• Place the cut end of each stem into a glass jar filled with room temperature water.

• Change the water every 4-5 days to prevent rot organisms from developing.

• Keep the jars in bright indirect light. Some direct morning sun is beneficial.

• Most cuttings will form visible root initials in 4-8 weeks. Plant into soil once rooted.

Caring for Rooted Bay Laurel Cuttings

Once your bay laurel cuttings have successfully formed roots, you can begin treating them more like mature plants. Here are some tips for caring for newly propagated bay laurels:

• Pot up the new plants in free-draining potting mix, or transplant directly into the garden.

• Begin normal watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

• Gradually introduce to higher light levels and outdoor conditions.

• Hold off on heavy pruning initially to allow the new plant to become established.

• Fertilize every 2-3 months with a balanced organic fertilizer.

• Monitor for pests like scale insects or signs of fungal disease. Address any issues promptly.

• Transplant into progressively larger containers as the plant grows.

Troubleshooting Propagation Problems

Rooting bay laurel cuttings does require some patience. Don’t be discouraged if success rates are low at first. Here are some common issues and solutions:

Cuttings remained small and weak: This usually indicates insufficient light. Move plants to a brighter location.

Leaves dropped: Overwatering or underwatering typically causes leaf drop. Maintain even moisture.

Stem rot: Prevent by avoiding excess moisture and saturating soils. Improve drainage if needed.

No root formation: Try taking cuttings later in summer. Use rooting hormone. Ensure temps are above 65°F.

Drying out: Increase humidity around cuttings. Water more frequently but avoid soaking.

Mold growth: Indicates too much humidity. Allow more air circulation and reduce watering frequency.

Slow growth after transplanting: Give the new plant time to establish roots before pushing top growth. Avoid drastic changes in light or temp.

Final Thoughts

Propagating bay laurel from semi-hardwood cuttings might take some trial and error, but it’s a very rewarding way to acquire more of these useful plants without spending any money. Just be sure to follow the timing recommendations closely, and you’ll have the best chance of success.

Within several months of taking cuttings, you can have brand new bay laurel plants growing happily in your garden or containers. I hope you’ll give propagation a try and soon be reaping the benefits of multiplying your homegrown bay trees.