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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 plants are a popular choice for home gardens and landscapes thanks to their attractive foliage and appealing scent. While bay plants are commonly propagated from cuttings they can also be grown from seeds. Starting bay plants from seeds requires patience and care, but can be a rewarding endeavor. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about bay plant seeds including germination, storage and sowing techniques.
Bay plants (Laurus nobilis) are large shrubs or small trees that originate from the Mediterranean region. They are best known for their aromatic leaves that are used to flavor soups, stews and other dishes. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. In addition to culinary uses, bay plants also make attractive landscape plants in warm climates
Mature bay plants can grow up to 60 feet tall in ideal conditions, but they are often maintained at shrub size through pruning. The plants produce small, inconspicuous yellowish flowers which give way to black berry-like fruit. Bay is an evergreen plant with leaves that are oblong, pointed and smooth. The foliage releases its scent readily when bruised or crushed.
Why Grow Bay Plants from Seeds?
Bay plants are most commonly propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer. However, starting plants from seeds is an alternative method. Here are some of the benefits of growing bay plants from seeds:
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Seeds allow you to grow new, genetically diverse plants rather than clones. This enhances the vigor and resilience of your crop.
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Propagating from seeds is often cheaper than buying young plants or cuttings.
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You can save and store seeds from your own plants for future propagation.
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Watching seeds grow and turn into plants is an enjoyable and educational gardening experience.
How to Collect and Store Bay Seeds
Bay plants produce clusters of small black fruit that contain the seeds. To collect seeds:
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Identify fruit clusters that have turned completely black/purple. They should be collected when fully ripe.
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Cut off the entire fruit cluster with secateurs or pruning shears.
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Remove the fleshy outer coating of each individual fruit to access the hard inner seed.
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Spread out seeds on a screen or newspaper and allow to dry for 1-2 weeks.
To store seeds:
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Place fully dry seeds in an airtight container such as a glass jar or ziplock bag.
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Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. A refrigerator is ideal.
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Properly stored bay seeds can remain viable for up to 1-2 years before germination rates decline.
How to Germinate Bay Seeds
Bay seeds have a hard outer coat that can inhibit water uptake and germination. To promote better germination:
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Soak seeds in water overnight before planting.
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Gently rub seeds with sandpaper or a file to scratch the surface. Avoid damaging the embryo.
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Stratify seeds by exposing them to moist cold (40°F) for 8-12 weeks.
Once pre-treated, sow seeds shallowly in pots filled with seed raising mix. Cover seeds lightly and keep moist but not soggy. Provide bottom heat of 70-80°F. Germination generally occurs within 2-3 months but can take much longer. Be patient!
Caring for Bay Seedlings
Successful germination is just the first step! Young bay seedlings require careful tending:
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Place pots in a bright, warm location free from harsh sun.
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Water regularly to keep soil slightly moist but not waterlogged.
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Pot up seedlings into larger containers as they grow. Use a quality potting mix.
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Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting into the garden after the last frost.
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Control damping off disease by avoiding overwatering and using sterile soil.
Tips for Successfully Sowing Bay Seeds Outdoors
Bay seeds can be directly sown into gardens in frost-free climates. For best results:
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Sow seeds in fall or early spring when soil temperatures are cooling.
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Prepare a planting bed in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil.
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Sow seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep. Space seeds 12-18 inches apart.
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Cover seeded areas with screening to protect from heavy rain.
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Keep soil moist but not saturated until seedlings emerge.
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Thin seedlings to final spacing of 6-10 feet apart once established.
Troubleshooting Germination Issues
Bay seeds are notoriously slow and sporadic when it comes to germination. If you are struggling to get seeds going, here are some troubleshooting tips:
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Ensure seeds were fresh and properly stored. Old or improperly stored seeds often fail.
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Check planting media moisture and temperature. Fluctuations can prevent germination.
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Look for signs of damping off disease like collapsed, rotting stems and treat appropriately.
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Be patient! Bay seeds can take many months to germinate. Don’t discard them too soon.
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Try a fresh batch of seeds. Some may be infertile or damaged.
Don’t get discouraged by slow or sporadic germination. With careful treatment of seeds, consistent moisture and warmth, and loads of patience, you can successfully grow bay plants from seed.
While it requires some extra effort, growing bay plants from seeds is an extremely rewarding endeavor. With the proper harvesting, storage, germination, and care techniques, seeds can be coaxed into healthy seedlings and ultimately attractive garden specimens. Pay close attention to your seeds’ moisture, temperature, and disease prevention needs at all stages for success. The end result will be handsome, aromatic bay plants propagated with your own two hands!
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.
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.
How To Germinate Bay Leaf Seeds
FAQ
How to germinate bay tree seeds?
Do bay leaves like sun or shade?
Where is the best place to plant a bay laurel?
Can a bay leaf plant stay outside in winter?
How long does Bay seed germination last?
Bay seed germination is notoriously long, up to six months. With such a lengthy germination period, seeds may rot before germination occurs. To hasten guarantee viable germination, never plant seeds that are dried out.
Can you grow a bay plant from seed?
Bay has a reputation for being tough to grow from seed. This is one of the reasons that plants cost a bit more than other herbs at the local nursery. But if you’re up for a bit of a gardening challenge, there’s no reason that you can start your own L. nobilis plants this way. If your first batch of seeds are duds, don’t give up.
Can a bay plant be grown outside?
In warmer zones, it can be grown outdoors year-round. If you want to save seeds from mature plants that you already have growing in your yard, you need to make sure you have both a male and a female for successful fertilization. Bay is dioecious, which means the male parts and female parts grow on different plants.
How do you germinate seeds from last year?
If you are in a hurry to see if the seeds you saved from last year will germinate or if you want to teach others about germination, all you need is a paper towel, water, a sealable plastic bag or container, water, a permanent marker, and seeds. Here’s how: Moisten the paper towel. Wet the paper towel, wringing out excessive water, and lay it flat.