Bay laurel is an aromatic evergreen shrub that is popularly grown for its flavorful leaves that are used for seasoning in cooking. While bay laurel is relatively easy to care for, proper watering is crucial to keeping your plant healthy and thriving. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into exactly how much watering your bay laurel plant needs to grow its best
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. The leathery, aromatic leaves are the most prized part of the plant and are used dried or fresh to flavor soups, stews, braises and other dishes.
The bay laurel tree can grow up to 10-20 feet tall and thrives in warm climates, preferring zones 8-10. However, it also makes an excellent container plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors.
When grown in the right conditions, bay laurel can live for decades, surviving for 50 years or more Let’s look at how to provide the watering that your bay laurel needs to maximize its growth and flavor
Factors That Determine Bay Laurel’s Water Needs
There are a few key factors that affect how much water your bay laurel plant requires:
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Plant size – Larger, more mature plants need more water than smaller, younger ones. Pay attention to pot size if growing in a container.
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Environment – Plants kept indoors need less water than those grown outdoors. Outdoor plants in hot, dry or windy areas need more water.
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Soil – Well-draining soil needs more frequent watering than moisture-retentive soil. Make adjustments based on soil drainage.
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Season – Bay laurels need more frequent watering in hot summer months than in cool winters. Adjust watering seasonally.
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Growth stage – Actively growing plants need more water than dormant plants. Water less in fall/winter.
By considering these factors, you can gauge how much and how often to water your bay laurel for optimal growth.
How Much Water Does a Bay Laurel Plant Need?
Bay laurel plants prefer consistently moist but not soggy soil. Here are some general guidelines for how much water to provide based on typical container sizes:
- Small plant in 4” pot – 1/4 cup every 5-7 days
- Medium plant in 6” pot – 1/2 cup every 3-5 days
- Large plant in 10” pot – 1 cup every 2-3 days
For in-ground plants, aim to provide around 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or manual watering. Adjust frequency based on soil drainage. Excessively dry or wet soil can damage roots and lead to leaf yellowing.
How Often to Water Bay Laurel
In addition to watering amount, proper watering frequency is also key. Here are some tips on determining when and how often to water your bay laurel:
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Check soil moisture 2-3 inches below the surface before watering. Water when top few inches become dry.
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Water less frequently in cooler months when plant is less active.
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Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings to avoid soggy soil.
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Indoor plants may need watering every 4-10 days on average. Outdoor plants in heat may need water every 2-3 days.
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If leaves start to droop or yellow, increase watering frequency.
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Feel soil weight by lifting pot to gauge moisture level. Light means it’s time to water.
Adjusting watering frequency according to season, environment and growth stage is important to prevent over or underwatering.
Watering Tips for Healthy Bay Laurel Plants
Follow these tips to ensure your bay laurel receives the proper amount of water to remain healthy:
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Water early in the day so leaves dry before night. Wet foliage can encourage disease.
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Use room temperature water rather than cold water to avoid shock.
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Add mulch around outdoor plants to help retain soil moisture.
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Check drainage holes to ensure they aren’t clogged. Good drainage prevents soggy soil.
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Allow excess water to drain out from pot after watering. Empty saucer of excess water.
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Mist bay laurel regularly to increase humidity around the plant.
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Consider using drip irrigation or a soaker hose for convenient watering.
Signs of Overwatering or Underwatering
It’s important to recognize the signs of improper watering so you can adjust your practices:
Overwatering: yellowing leaves, leaf drop, soft or mushy stems, mold, rotting roots, foul odor
Underwatering: dry or crispy leaves, excessive leaf drop, wilting, stunted growth
If you notice these issues, modify your watering schedule and volume accordingly to get your plant back on track. Proper soil moisture is key!
Frequently Asked Questions About Watering Bay Laurel
Here are answers to some common questions about watering bay laurel plants:
How often should I water my outdoor bay laurel?
Outdoor plants need watering 2-3 times per week typically, increasing frequency in hot weather. Water when top few inches of soil are dry.
Should I use tap water or distilled water to water my bay laurel?
Tap water is fine in most cases unless your tap water contains high mineral content. Filtered or distilled water can be used if needed.
How can I increase humidity for my indoor bay laurel?
Use a humidifier, place on a pebble tray, or mist plant regularly to provide humidity. Bay laurels enjoy 40-60% humidity.
What kind of soil should I use for optimal water drainage?
A well-draining potting mix or loamy garden soil enriched with organic matter provides the aeration and drainage bay laurel prefers.
Conclusion
Proper watering is essential to keeping your bay laurel plant healthy and ensuring it produces an abundant supply of flavorful leaves. Pay close attention to soil moisture, plant age and size, time of year, and other environmental factors to determine the optimal watering volume and frequency. With a little diligence, you can easily learn to provide just the right amount of water your bay laurel needs to thrive.
How to care for Bay Laurel
Bay Laurel needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5″ pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every 9
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How to fertilize Bay Laurel
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Bay Laurel after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Bay Laurel is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Bay Laurel prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Bay Laurel requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive . Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Bay Laurel is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Bay Laurel does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Bay Laurel should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Bay Laurel will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.
USDA Hardiness Zone Bay Laurel can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8b-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Bay Laurel, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.