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.
Bay plants, also known as bay laurel or Laurus nobilis, can be a beautiful addition to any outdoor garden. With their aromatic leaves and bushy growth habit, bay plants provide great ornamental value while also supplying leaves you can use for cooking. Growing bay plants successfully outdoors relies on providing the right conditions. Follow these tips for growing a thriving and gorgeous bay plant garden.
Choosing the Right Location
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Bay plants need full sun for ideal growth, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is particularly important.
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Select a spot that is protected from strong winds which can damage the large leaves
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Give bay plants adequate space since they can grow quite big. Allow a spacing of at least 3 feet between plants.
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Well-draining soil enriched with organic matter is ideal. Bay plants are susceptible to root rot in wet soils.
Preparing the Soil
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Before planting, till compost or aged manure into the top 12 inches of soil to improve fertility, moisture retention, and drainage.
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Test the soil pH and amend if needed to reach an ideal range of 6.0-7.0.
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Adding mycorrhizae fungus when planting can help the bay tree’s roots absorb nutrients and water efficiently.
Planting Bay Plants
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Spring is the best time to plant container-grown bay plants outdoors in most climates after the danger of frost has passed.
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Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the bay’s root ball. Place the plant in the hole at the same level it was growing in the container.
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Backfill the hole with the amended native soil. Water deeply after planting.
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Mulch around the base with 2-3 inches of organic mulch to conserve moisture. Avoid mulching right up against the trunk.
Caring for Bay Plants
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Water bay plants regularly during the first year to establish roots. Then water deeply only when top few inches of soil become dry.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea.
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Prune periodically to shape and stimulate growth. Prune freeze damaged growth in spring.
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Protect young bay trees from winter freezes until established. Wrap or cover plants when temperatures drop below 20°F.
Avoiding Pests and Diseases
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Ensure good air circulation between plants to prevent fungal disease like powdery mildew.
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Avoid overhead watering and prune for open shape to reduce risk of fungal issues.
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Check undersides of leaves for pests like aphids, scale, or mealybugs. Use insecticidal soap sprays if found.
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Prevent root rot by planting in well-draining soil, avoiding overwatering, and not mulching too close to the trunk.
Harvesting Bay Leaves
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Wait to harvest until plants are at least 2 years old. Older plants can have leaves harvested more frequently.
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Harvest by pinching or cutting leaves off stems. Never harvest more than 1/3 of leaves at a time.
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Harvest early in the day when leaves contain the most flavor oils.
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Dry leaves slowly, out of direct sun, before storing in an airtight container.
Tips for Container Growing
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Select a large container, at least 10 gallons, for outdoor growing. Use a potting mix formulated for trees and shrubs.
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Ensure the container has drainage holes and raise up on “feet” or bricks to prevent waterlogging.
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked. Bay plants are sensitive to drying out in pots.
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Move containerized plants to a sheltered spot for winter or bring indoors in very cold climates.
Fun Varieties to Try
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‘Saratoga’ – A dwarf variety that only reaches 8-15 feet tall at maturity.
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‘Angustifolia’ – Slender, willow-like leaves on a compact shrub.
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‘Aurea’ – New leaves emerge a showy golden color before maturing to green.
Companion Planting
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Herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano thrive near bay trees.
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Planting beans and bay trees together can boost growth and flavor of both plants.
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Bay’s shallow roots won’t compete with neighboring plants. Leave adequate space between plants.
Overwintering Bay Plants
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In Zone 8 or warmer, bay plants can stay in the ground year-round. Mulch their roots in winter.
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If planting in Zone 7 or colder, either grow bay plants in containers that can be moved indoors for winter or carefully dig up and store dormant plants over winter.
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Store dormant field-grown plants in a cool garage or cellar, barely moisten roots, then replant outside in spring.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Yellowing leaves – This can indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Brown leaf tips – Most often caused by inconsistent watering. Keep soil evenly moist.
Leaf drop – Normal during winter dormancy. Can also be from transplant shock or drying out.
White powdery coating – Powdery mildew fungal disease. Improve air circulation and reduce watering.
Curled, stunted leaves – Sign of herbicide damage. Ensure no contact with weed killers.
Holes in leaves – Indicates insect pests. Check undersides of leaves and apply insecticidal soap.
Achieving Maximum Growth
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Fast growing bay trees can reach 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide, but growth rate and size depends on the variety.
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Optimum growth occurs in USDA Zones 8-10. Plants grow slower in cooler climates.
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Ensure plants receive adequate but not excessive water and fertilizer. Excess will cause fast, weak growth.
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Allow plants to reach maturity. Largest growth occurs once trees are well-established after 5-10 years.
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Prune to shape and open the canopy but avoid heavy pruning that removes large branches.
The Benefits of Growing Bay Plants
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Adds a beautiful, aromatic evergreen shrub or tree to gardens and landscapes.
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Provides a supply of bay leaves to flavor soups, stews, and sauces.
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Can be shaped into stunning ornamental forms like spirals, cones and standards with regular pruning.
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Sometimes used in herbal medicine though not extensively.
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Provides food and habitat for birds who eat the small black berries that may form on mature plants.
With the right growing conditions, bay plants can become stunning focal point shrubs or trees in an outdoor garden. Their culinary and ornamental versatility make bay plants a great addition to many landscapes. Follow these tips to successfully grow bay plants outdoors for a beautiful and useful garden addition.
Potting and Repotting Bay Laurel
Bay laurel makes a popular container plant that can live for decades. To keep its size in check, use a relatively small container but one with a broad enough base to prevent the tree from toppling over in the wind. A 24-inch pot will accommodate a 5- to 6-foot tree. Grow the plant in ordinary commercial potting mix.
Bay laurel grows best when its a little cramped in its pot, even to the point of roots starting to poke out the bottom. You shouldn’t need to repot more than once every five years.
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 Leaves (Bay Laurel) – Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
Where does bay grow best?
Is Miracle Grow good for bay trees?
Where is the best place to plant a bay laurel?
Can you grow bay leaf plants?
Here’s what you need to know about growing and caring for a bay leaf plant, a culinary garden staple. This is a popular kitchen garden herb, says Tom Monson, the owner of Monson Lawn and Landscaping, who is often asked how to grow bay leaf plants by his clients.
How do you grow a bay leaf plant?
Warm regions: Grow it in garden beds outdoors. Colder regions: Grow it in containers so that you can move them around or grow them as an indoor herb when the weather turns too cold for your bay leaf plant. This herb is fairly resistant to most pests and diseases, which makes for easy growing.
Is Bay a good plant to grow all year round?
Not just because it’s delicious, but also because the plants make a lovely addition to the garden all year round with their beautiful evergreen leaves. With a little care and attention, growing bay – aka laurel – is easy and plants can last a lifetime with little fuss. As if that wasn’t enough to recommend it, bay has health benefits galore.
Are bay trees hard to grow?
Bay plants are slow-growing trees that are actually pretty simple to grow. However, they are frost tender and cannot grow outdoors in zones colder than a 7. In addition, they have stiff, leathery leaves with a rib down the middle of the leaf. Here’s what this plant needs to thrive.