When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Sweet bay is a medium sized Laurel that hails from the Mediterranean. It is used primarily as a culinary herb, but historically it has been used medicinally. A component of bouquet garni, a French seasoning blend, bay lends itself well to soups, stews, and sauces. Usually, sweet bay is purchased as a seedling from a nursery, but growing bay tree seeds is also possible, provided the grower has some patience since bay seed germination is a slow process. Interested in planting bay seeds? Read on to find out when to sow bay seeds and information on how to grow a bay tree from seed.
Bay leaf plants, also known as bay laurel or sweet bay, are a popular herb used around the world for their aromatic leaves The leaves are used dried or fresh to flavor soups, stews, and other dishes If you want to grow your own bay leaf plants, you’ll need to start with seeds. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about bay leaf plant seeds including optimal germination conditions, proper storage, and how to sow them.
The bay leaf plant (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen tree or shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region. It can grow up to 10 meters tall in ideal conditions, but is often pruned to a more compact size for culinary use
The leaves are olive green and can reach up to 12 cm long. They are often used dried in cooking, but can also be used fresh. Bay leaves have a pungent, herbal flavor that pairs well with soups, stews, sauces, roasted meats, and more.
In addition to their value in cooking, bay leaf plants also have ornamental value with their glossy foliage. They can be grown as container plants in colder climates. The plants also produce small yellow flowers which develop into purple-black berries.
Germinating Bay Leaf Seeds
Bay leaf seeds can be slow and tricky to germinate Here are some tips to improve your chances of successfully sprouting bay leaf seeds
-
Soak seeds for 24 hours – Soaking seeds in water for 24 hours before planting helps soften the tough outer seed coat and initiates the germination process.
-
Use warm stratification – Bay leaf seeds need exposure to warm temperatures of around 68-77°F (20-25°C) to germinate. Consider placing seeds on a heat mat or other warm location before planting.
-
Plant in seed starting mix – Use a loose, well-draining seed starting mix and plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep.
-
Keep soil moist – Maintain consistently moist but not soggy soil during the germination period. Water gently to avoid washing away tiny seeds.
-
Allow 6-8 weeks – Bay seeds are slow growers. Allow up to 2 months for germination. Don’t give up too soon!
-
Provide light – Once sprouted, seedlings need plenty of light. Supplemental lighting may help.
With care, patience, and optimal conditions, you can achieve a reasonable germination rate of around 50% for your bay leaf seeds.
Storing Bay Leaf Seeds
If you need to store bay leaf seeds for planting later, proper storage is important to maintain seed viability. Here are some tips:
-
Place seeds in an airtight container like a glass jar or resealable plastic bag. Plastic bags can be squeezed to remove excess air.
-
Store container in a cool, dry place away from direct light. The refrigerator is ideal, as long as seeds remain dry.
-
Ideal storage temperature is around 40°F. Avoid freezing.
-
Check seeds occasionally for mold or other issues. Discard any that appear damaged or rotten.
-
With ideal conditions, bay seeds remain viable for 6-12 months. Older seeds have reduced germination rates.
-
Label containers with seed type and year harvested or packed for easier identification.
Proper dry, cold storage preserves seed viability for future planting. Discard seeds past 1 year old. For highest germination rates, use fresh seed.
Sowing and Planting Bay Leaf Seeds
Once you’ve successfully germinated your bay leaf seeds and grown the seedlings for 6-8 weeks after germination, it’s time to sow them into larger containers or the ground. Here’s how to plant your bay seedlings:
-
Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Set them outdoors in partial shade for 7-10 days, bringing them in at night.
-
Wait until after the last frost to transplant outdoors in zones colder than 7.Bay leaf is not frost tolerant.
-
Plant in full sun to partial shade. They need a minimum of 6 hours direct sun per day.
-
Choose a spot with well-draining soil enriched with compost. Improve dense soils before planting.
-
Space plants 5-6 feet apart. Give them room to reach mature size.
-
Dig holes the depth of the root ball and 2x as wide. Place seedling in hole and backfill soil.
-
Water thoroughly after transplanting and mist leaves until established.
-
After 2-3 months, fertilize monthly with balanced organic fertilizer.
-
Transplant container plants to a pot 2 inches wider when rootbound.
With proper planting and care, your bay leaf seedlings will flourish for years of harvest. Enjoy the fruits of your laborious germination process!
Frequently Asked Questions about Bay Leaf Seeds
How many seeds should I start?
Start 2-3 times as many seeds as plants you want. Germination rates average around 50%, and some seedlings won’t survive.
How long do bay leaf plants live?
Bay trees are very long-lived. With proper care, they will thrive for 50 years or more.
What problems should I look out for?
Watch for fungal issues like damping off in seedlings. Mature trees can be affected by scale, mites, and fungal leaf spot. Proper care prevents most problems.
Can I grow bay leaf as an annual?
In very cold climates, grow bay in containers you can move indoors for winter. It will live 4-5 years as an annual.
When is the best time to harvest leaves?
Harvest leaves as needed once plants are established, usually 2-3 years after sowing seeds. Mid-morning leaves have the best flavor.
Can I propagate from cuttings?
Yes! Take 4 inch tip cuttings in spring or summer. Dip in rooting hormone and pot up in seed starting mix.
When to Sow Bay Seeds
To hasten guarantee viable germination, never plant seeds that are dried out. Order your seeds from a reputable purveyor and when they arrive, soak them in warm water for 24 hours and then plant them immediately. Also, germinate multiple seeds to allow for germination failure and rotting. If you plan to harvest seeds from an existing tree, look for a female. Sweet laurels are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. In the spring, inconspicuous pale yellow-green flowers bloom followed by small, purplish black, oval berries. Each berry has a single seed found on mature female trees.
About Planting Bay Seeds
Sweet laurel or bay (Laurus nobilis) is hardy to USDA zones 8 to 10, so those of us growing the plant outside these parameters will need to move the bay indoors when temperatures dip. The good news is that bay makes an excellent container plant. It can grow to 23 feet (7 m.) in height, but its size can be retarded by frequent pruning. It is also quite tolerant of pruning and training into topiary shapes which look gorgeous with the tree’s glossy green foliage. As mentioned, while not the usual method of propagation, growing bay tree seeds is possible, if at times frustrating. Why frustrating? Bay seed germination is notoriously long, up to six months. With such a lengthy germination period, seeds may rot before germination occurs.