Bay laurel is a beautiful evergreen tree. Since the bay tree is a slow grower, it’s also kept as an ornamental, especially in the form of topiary shapes. Bay laurels work extremely well for topiary use!
This lovely evergreen is an ideal candidate for your yard as it has attractive foliage and is easy to maintain. Even better, it’s used as a spice in many cuisines. It’s often used in slow-cooking recipes like soups and stews, but also is a major flavor note in rice dishes like jambalaya.
You’ll be surprised to learn that the elliptical-shaped leaves of this tree are dried and used as wraps for licorice. The items are then shipped across the world. In China, the leaf is also used in rice packaging to offer a faint, aromatic note to the rice.
Whether container grown or in the ground, the tree can be an amazing addition to your landscape efforts. Not only that, but you’ll be able to use those leaves for their herbaceous flavor culinarily. What’s not to love?
Growing a healthy and thriving bay laurel plant starts with choosing the right soil. As an avid gardener, I’ve learned that not all soils are created equal when it comes to meeting the specific needs of different plants. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the ideal soil for your bay laurel so it can reach its full potential in your landscape.
Before we dive into soil specifics, let’s take a moment to get to know this versatile plant Bay laurel (also known as sweet bay or Laurus nobilis) is an aromatic evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region Its glossy green leaves impart a lovely herbal flavor and fragrance, making them a popular addition to soups, stews, and other dishes.
In the garden, bay laurel makes a beautiful ornamental plant with its upright form and dense, bushy foliage. It can be shaped into formal hedges and topiaries or allowed to grow into its natural flowing form. Given the right growing conditions, this lovely plant can thrive for years, even decades, in the garden.
The Soil Requirements of Bay Laurel Plants
Now that we know the basics about bay laurel, let’s explore its ideal soil conditions. Here are the key factors to consider:
Drainage
Excellent drainage is crucial for bay laurel plants. Their roots are highly prone to rot if left in wet, compacted, or overly moist soil for too long. Stagnant water around the roots essentially suffocates them and creates an environment ripe for disease.
To avoid this, bay laurel requires soil that drains readily. Sandy loam soils that contain a mix of sand, silt, and clay particles are ideal. The sand component creates spaces for excess water to percolate down through the soil profile. Heavy clay soils or those with poor internal structure won’t suffice.
If your site has naturally poor drainage, creating raised planting beds can dramatically improve drainage for your bay laurel’s roots
Nutrient levels
Bay laurel prefers soil with moderate to high natural fertility. This means having adequate levels of major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium readily available to the plant. While bay laurel can tolerate less fertile soils, it may exhibit slower growth, smaller leaves, and reduced vigor.
Amending native soil with generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure can help boost fertility levels. An annual top dressing of compost around established plants also nourishes the soil food web.
pH range
The ideal pH range for bay laurel growth falls between 6.0-75 This slightly acidic to neutral range provides optimal availability of key nutrients. Growth can become stunted in highly acidic or alkaline soils outside this range.
Test your soil’s pH using an at-home test kit. If needed, you can amend the pH by adding soil sulfur to lower pH or lime to raise pH.
Organic matter
Bay laurel appreciates soil with ample organic matter, which not only supplies nutrients but also improves drainage and moisture retention. Work in several inches of compost or leaf mold when preparing new planting beds. Mulching established plants helps maintain organic matter levels over time.
The Best Soil Types for Bay Laurel
Now that we’ve covered the ideal soil conditions, let’s explore some specific soil types that are well-suited for growing bay laurel:
Loamy soil
As mentioned, loamy soils with a blend of sand, silt, and clay make an excellent choice. The diversity of particles provides the drainage bay laurel needs along with moisture retention and nutrient availability. Loams come in varieties like sandy loam and silty loam.
Potting mixes
For container-grown bay laurel, using a quality commercial potting mix is your best bet. Look for mixes containing ingredients like peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and compost. These will mimic the well-draining yet moisture-retentive properties that bay laurel requires.
Compost-amended native soil
While not ideal on its own, even dense or nutrient-poor native soil can be modified to suit bay laurel’s preferences. As discussed, incorporating several inches of compost or well-rotted manure into clay or sandy soils can transform them into an acceptable growing medium.
Planting on slopes
In sites with heavy or dense soil, consider planting your bay laurel on a slope or raised bed. The elevation allows excess water to run off, preventing the roots from getting waterlogged.
Soil Types to Avoid for Bay Laurel
Now let’s quickly go over some soil types that you’ll want to avoid when siting your bay laurel:
- Poorly draining clay soils
- Compacted subsoil with no topsoil
- Soils high in limestone or calcium
- Wet, boggy sites
- Any soils that remain soggy or flooded after rains
If your landscape contains any of these less-than-ideal soil types, go the extra mile to heavily amend the native soil with organic matter to create a tailored planting bed for your bay laurel.
Caring for Your Bay Laurel Soil
Choosing the right starting soil is only half the battle. Proper, ongoing soil care is equally important for keeping your bay laurel happy. Here are some tips:
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Mulch annually with 2-3 inches of organic mulch like bark chips or pine needles to retain moisture and replenish organic matter.
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Avoid over-compacting the soil. Limit foot traffic near the plants and don’t work in soil that’s overly wet.
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Test soil nutrient levels every 2-3 years. Fertilize as needed in early spring with an organic or balanced synthetic fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Monitor soil pH and adjust if needed to keep it in the ideal range.
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Improve drainage in clay soils by working in organic amendments like compost. Consider installing drainage tiles or pipes.
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Aerate compacted soils in spring using a core aerator or garden fork.
Proper soil selection and care prevents many common problems in bay laurel, leading to healthier, more vigorous plants that grace your landscape for years of beauty and bountiful harvests. Give your bay laurel the soil environment it desires, and it will generously reward you in return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow bay laurel in pots or containers?
Yes! Bay laurel adapts very well to container growing. Use a commercial potting mix and choose a container with drainage holes. Fertilize regularly and allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings.
How often should I water my bay laurel?
Bay laurel has relatively low water needs once established but requires regular watering when young. Water thoroughly only when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid constantly soggy soil.
Should I fertilize my bay laurel plant?
Applying a balanced organic or slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer will support healthy growth. But don’t overdo it, as excessive fertility can cause leggy growth.
What’s the best way to improve dense clay soil?
Incorporating organic matter like compost is key. Double digging beds to loosen compacted subsoil also helps. Consider amending with gypsum to improve drainage. A raised bed solves many clay soil woes.
How do I lower the pH of my alkaline soil?
Applying sulfur according to soil test recommendations will help lower pH into the ideal range. Organic compost also provides an acidifying effect. Getting a professional soil analysis is wise.
Can I grow bay laurel in full sun or shade?
Bay laurel thrives in full sun to partial afternoon shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun is recommended. Too much shade can result in sparse, leggy growth.
All About Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis, bay laurel, originates in Mediterranean regions but has become popularized worldwide. Laurus nobilis produces the famous bay leaf that is widely used as a spice. Other common names for the Laurus nobilis tree are sweet bay, bay laurel, true laurel, Grecian laurel, and laurel.
The laurel tree is an aromatic evergreen tree that grows smooth, glabrous dark green leaves. It belongs to the flowering plant family of Lauraceae. Container plants stay compact, usually less than 6 feet in height. Planted in the ground, it often reaches 20 or more feet tall.
Its leaves are dark green in color, glossy, and oval. They have a smooth leathery texture and are slightly thick to the touch. Besides being used as a herb, the tree also grows gorgeous yellowish-green blooms in spring. Laurus nobilis is dioecious, meaning that the tree is not self-pollinating. You will need both a male and a female plant to get more than leaves and flowers.
If pollination between male and female Laurus nobilis plants occurs, the flowers on the female bay tree are followed by purplish-black single-seeded berries. Laurus nobilis has a widely-spreading root system, so it’s important to keep a safe distance when planting it near your home or other structures. The roots can easily penetrate leaky pipes, so avoid planting it near water or sewer lines.
The Laurus nobilis bay laurel tree can be cultivated as an ornamental plant or as a shade tree. Bay laurels are widely used to create attractive topiary in the form of erect stems with box-shaped, ball-shaped, or twisted crowns. One of the most popular shapes is known as the lollipop bay. But if you grow bay laurel naturally, it matures into a full-sized tree.
With the right care and maintenance, you can even grow a Laurus nobilis hedge, although it takes creative pruning to keep it low. The leaves are versatile and attractive, so much so that in ancient Greece, they were used as wreaths and woven as crowns by victors.
In cooking, bay is used to make bouquet garni – a bundle of leafy herbs used for cooking casseroles, soups, and stews. Single leaves can also be added directly into the cooking pot. They need to be removed prior to serving as the leaf remains woody and unappealing but releases a lovely flavor to the liquid it’s cooked in.
To harvest bay leaves, the plants should be at least 2 years old. The leaves of the tree can then be used for culinary purposes to add a special aroma and taste. Older, larger leaves typically have more flavor than the younger leaves do.
A Laurus nobilis bay laurel plant can be easily grown in the southern United States. It requires a warmer, more Mediterranean-type climate and doesn’t perform as well in colder regions.
In the United States, bare-root Laurus nobilis trees should be planted in the very late winter or early spring, depending on your region. As the bay prefers warmer climates, gardeners in areas that get hard freezes should plant in containers indoors. You need to plant your tree when it’s still somewhat dormant before it awakens and produces new growth. This gives it the best chance to adapt to its new location.
Young trees tend to be susceptible to wind, whether hot or cold. Select a location where the tree has a windbreak nearby to keep it from being beaten up by the air!
Pick a location where your Laurus nobilis tree receives full sun year-round. While they can do well in partial shade locations, they grow their best with at least eight hours of sunlight a day.
Container-grown plants can be moved indoors or outdoors to suit the weather. If indoors, they will need to be in a location where they receive their daily dose of sunlight through a window. Alternatively, you can set up a grow light to provide them with supplemental lighting. Use a pot that matches the size of the tree and its age. Keep it away from drafty areas or heating vents.
Your plant will either be bare-root or in a pot. If it’s bare-root, note where the bag is tied around the trunk, as that’s the maximum depth to plant to. Potted trees should be planted no deeper than they were planted in the pot.
Before you plant Laurus nobilis, loosen and amend the soil where the tree will be located. It’s essential to have good drainage, so soils that bake to a hard, less-permeable surface may need soil conditioners added to improve drainage. For a year-old sapling, loosen an area that’s at least 3 feet in diameter and at least 2-3 feet deep.
Once your soil is loose and amended with compost or other soil conditioners, make a mound of soil in the center of the hole. Set your bare-root tree on top of the mound, positioning the roots evenly around the mound. Backfill with amended soil.
Container-grown plants will need a pot size that matches the age of the plant. While a very young plant can be in as small as a 5-gallon pot for the first 6 months or so, yearling or older plants need a much larger pot.