Bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree native to the Mediterranean area, best known for its leaves which are widely used as a kitchen seasoning. Pointed oval leaves are deep, glossy green with a leathery texture and have little aroma either fresh or dried. But when added to cooking liquids bay leaf releases essential oils that add a peppery, minty and slightly bitter flavor to soups, stews and sauces.
Bay laurel (Laurel nobilis) is also rich in symbolism dating to early Greek civilization with dozens of examples found throughout history. It represents a number of virtues including achievement, wisdom, victory, and everlasting love. Romans adopted the symbolism crowning their emperors with laurel wreaths. The word baccalaureate stems from the Greek “laureate” for laurel tree and Latin “bacca” for berry.
Bay Laurel is a slow-growing tree best planted in spring. Its dioecious which means both male and female plants are needed to produce flowers and berries. When pollinated, small yellow flowers develop into dark purple berries in the fall. Natural growth habit produces a medium- to large-sized tree with multiple stems that form a dense green pyramidal canopy. Bay laurel accepts heavy pruning, so you just as often see it as a shrub or container plant.
Bay laurel is somewhat easy to care for indoors or outdoors with potted plants generally kept to 4 to 8 feet tall, while unpruned landscape plants can grow from 30 to 60 feet tall. Though the leaves are often used in cooking, they are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
Bay laurel and bay leaf are the same. However, aromatic plants such as California bay (Umbellularia californica), and others, may be mislabeled in the store as bay leaf because of the similarities in fragrance and taste.
The bay laurel plant, also known as Laurus nobilis is a beautiful evergreen shrub that originates from the Mediterranean region. With its aromatic leaves and ability to thrive in containers, bay laurel makes an excellent addition to any herb garden. If you’ve recently acquired a bay laurel plant for your container garden you may be wondering how to best care for it. Proper care will ensure your plant stays healthy and productive for years to come.
Choosing the Right Pot
Bay laurel plants prefer free-draining soil, so the pot you choose needs adequate drainage. Pick a container with several holes in the bottom to allow excess water to flow out. Terra cotta, plastic, ceramic, and fabric pots all work well. For a small plant, start with a 5-10 gallon pot. As your bay laurel grows, gradually re-pot it into larger containers. Make sure there is about 2 inches of space between the plant’s root ball and edges of the pot. This gives the roots room to expand.
The Perfect Potting Mix
Your potting mix needs to be loose and well-draining A standard commercial potting soil blended with compost or peat moss is ideal, You can also add perlite or sand to improve drainage, The soil should retain some moisture but not get waterlogged Test your mix by pouring water into the empty pot, It should drain freely out the bottom within a few minutes, An acidic soil around 6,0 to 6,5 pH is preferred,
Give it Sun and Warmth
Bay laurel thrives in full sun. When grown indoors, situate pots in a south or west facing window. Outdoors, choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Shelter your plant from strong winds, which can damage leaves. Bay laurel prefers daytime temperatures of 70°F to 80°F and nights no colder than 50°F. It can tolerate short periods of frost but avoid exposing pots to freezing temperatures.
Water Thoroughly
Bay laurel plants are quite drought tolerant but don’t allow the soil to completely dry out. Water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Pour water until it drains freely from the drainage holes. Allow excess water to drain away before returning the pot to its saucer. Never let pots sit in water, which leads to root rot. In very hot or windy conditions, you may need to water daily. Leaves turning brown or drooping signal under-watering.
Feed Occasionally
While bay laurel doesn’t require much fertilizer, feeding every 2-3 months during spring through fall helps it thrive. Use a balanced organic fertilizer, following package directions. Alternatively, you can top-dress pots with worm castings or compost. Discontinue feeding during winter when plant growth naturally slows.
Prune for Shape and Growth
Pruning bay laurel regularly shapes the plant and encourages bushy new growth. In late winter or early spring, prune back stems to just above leaf nodes. You can also remove any dead or damaged growth anytime. Never prune more than 20% of the plant at once to avoid stressing it. Sterilize pruning tools before each use to prevent disease spread.
Watch for Pests
In general, bay laurel trees are fairly pest and disease resistant. Aphids, scale, and spider mites may sometimes attack. Check undersides of leaves regularly and treat any pests you spot quickly with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprays before they spread. Removing affected leaves and spraying down the plant with a strong jet of water can also help dislodge pests.
Bring Indoors Before Frost
If you live in an area with cold winters, bring container grown bay laurel plants inside before nighttime temperatures drop below 40°F. Choose the brightest spot in your home and continue watering whenever the soil dries out. Some leaf drop is normal as the plant transitions to indoor life. Check for any insect hitchhikers before bringing plants inside. In spring, gradually acclimate bay laurel to outdoor conditions again.
With proper potting, sunlight, watering, pruning and pest management, your container grown bay laurel will thrive indoors or out. This aromatic herb tree adds a lovely Mediterranean flair to any garden.
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Fertilizer
Feed a container-grown bay laurel plant in the spring using a balanced organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or kelp. Because bay laurel is slow-growing, it doesn’t require a great deal of food when grown outdoors in the landscape.
Bay laurel plants grown in containers, however, need supplemental fertilizer. It also helps to refresh the top few inches of soil each spring, being careful not to damage the shallow roots.
Common Pests
For the most part, bay laurel is pest-free. In fact, the plant and its leaves are often used to deter pests from other plants and in kitchen pantries.
Scale ca be a problem and moths sometimes lay eggs between two leaves and fuse them with a cottony fluff. If you see two leaves that appear to be stuck together, gently peel them apart and remove the eggs or larva. Any number of other pests common to indoor houseplants can also affect bay laurel plants, especially mealybugs and spider mites, both of which are best treated with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
These plants have some susceptibility to fungal diseases:
- Anthracnose causes the tips of the leaves to turn brown or black, then gradually die. Remove affected leaves with sterilized pruners, and treat the soil with a fungicide (anthracnose is an internal infection). Severely infected plants will need to be destroyed.
- Powdery mildew creates a whitish residue on the leaves of the plant. Treat the plant with neem oil or another horticultural oil. Improving air circulation and keeping soil surfaces clean often prevent the disease.
- Phytophthora root rot is a known problem for bay laurel plants. It is a fungus-like organism that can cause the slow, gradual collapse of the plant. Early symptoms include the appearance of dark, gummy streaks on the bark, usually low on the stems. Fungicides may help control the disease, along with regular replacement of the top few inches of potting soil.
How To Grow Bay Laurel in Pots – Complete Care Guide
FAQ
Can you leave laurel in pots?
Do bay laurels like sun or shade?