How to Grow and Care for Bay Laurel Trees

Laurus nobilis

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a wonderfully versatile evergreen tree, prized in the garden for its ornamental value, and its aromatic leaves much loved in the kitchen.

In culinary applications, the dried leaves are widely used as a seasoning – most notably in herb blends and slow simmering dishes where they impart a sweet, woodsy flavor with a hint of menthol.

In the garden, the lush plants are revered for their dense foliage canopies, rich with glossy clusters of dark green, leathery leaves.

A close up vertical image of a bay laurel growing in the garden with flowers and vegetables in the same bed. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

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These low maintenance plants require little care and make an outstanding addition to containers, barriers, hedges, and privacy screens.

Plus, they’re easily pruned and can be sculpted into striking topiary specimens with standard shapes or unique, whimsical forms.

In late spring, clusters of small, mostly inconspicuous cream to pale yellow flowers form at the base of the leaves and if pollinated, develop into green, then purple-black berrylike drupes, each containing a single seed.

And while the flowers and berries are pretty, it’s the foliage that shines in the bay laurel show – which also makes a lovely, lightly fragrant addition to cut flower arrangements and winter wreaths.

Is your garden in need of a sweet bay tree? Then let’s jump into the details of how to grow and care for bay laurel.

Here’s what you’ll find ahead:

What Is Bay Laurel?

Bay laurel, also known as sweet bay, true laurel, and Grecian laurel, is an evergreen tree in the flowering laurel family, Lauraceae, native to the Mediterranean region.

The genus name Laurus is Latin for laurel, and the specific epithet nobilis is Latin for notable or excellent.

A vertical image of a bay laurel tree growing in a sunny garden with a residence in the background.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

California bay (Umbellularia californica), aka Oregon myrtle, is sometimes marketed as bay laurel, but the flavor of the leaves is much stronger and more mentholated.

True bay laurel’s aromatic leaves are a popular dried herb for culinary use, most notably in sauces, soups, and stews, and in herb blends like bouquet garni.

Fresh leaves have a milder flavor and can be used in faster cooking dishes like stir fries.

Fresh or dried, the leaves are removed from the dish before serving. Ingestion of the dried leaves should be avoided unless in ground form – the edges are sharp and can cause discomfort if swallowed.

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a bay laurel tree pictured in light sunshine.

Bay leaf is rich in essential oils with many health-boosting properties, and along with culinary applications, is used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in holistic practices like aromatherapy and ayurveda.

The trees are also valued as ornamentals, and their ability to take a hard pruning makes them a popular choice for creating uniquely sculpted topiary specimens.

Tender new foliage emerges a bright chartreuse and darkens to a glossy forest green as the two- to five-inch, elliptical leaves mature and take on a leathery texture.

Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers developing on separate specimens. If there is a male plant nearby for pollination, the female plants will produce berrylike drupes.

A close up horizontal image of the small fruits of a bay laurel pictured on a soft focus background.

Mature trees can grow up to 55 feet in a columnar or rounded shape, but growth is slow and maintaining a smaller size is easily achieved with regular pruning.

In its native habitat, L. nobilis grows in wooded thickets and damp, rocky ravines.

Bay laurel enjoys regular moisture and can handle moderately wet conditions provided the soil is well-draining.

Once established, they have good drought tolerance, but young trees can struggle if the soil dries out completely and should be watered regularly.

Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, in regions with cold winters you can still enjoy sweet bay as a container plant, moving it indoors for the winter months.

Cultivation and History

Steeped in history and myth, wreaths of L. nobilis have been used to symbolize victory, personal achievement, and social status for millennia.

The ancient Greeks used the leaves to crown the victors of athletic competitions that were the precursors of the modern Olympic games.

This idea carried into the Roman era where emperors wore a laurel wreath like a crown to denote their divine lineage.

A close up vertical image of a Roman emperor head statue with a laurel wreath, surrounded by vines.
Editorial credit: Javi Az / Shutterstock.com

During the Renaissance period, doctors who completed their training were adorned with berried branches of L. nobilis – from which we get the word “baccalaureate.”

Among sweet bay’s many beneficial compounds, their fragrant oils also have pest-busting properties that make these plants effective garden companions for other kitchen herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, as well as vegetables like green beans.

These insecticidal properties also extend to safeguarding stored dry goods – you can add a leaf or two of bay laurel to containers of cereal, grain, or flour to keep unfriendly insects “at bay.” (Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)

Bay Laurel Propagation

Bay laurel can be propagated by seed and from stem cuttings.

From Seed

To sow seeds, collect the seed-bearing drupes in fall and remove the fleshy outer case, or pericarp – if left in place, the pericarp can induce dormancy and prevent germination.

Only about half of the sown seeds will germinate and fresh seeds sprout better than dried ones. Plus, they need a 50- to 70-day cold stratification period in a moist soilless medium.

This involves putting the seeds in a plastic baggie with the medium and placing it in the fridge.

Keep the medium lightly moist but not soggy. Once the seeds sprout, you can remove them from the refrigerator and pot them up.

Be sure to follow the steps outlined in our guide on how to grow bay laurel from seed.

From Cuttings

Propagation from stem cuttings produces better results than from seed, but patience is still required. Heel cuttings are generally more successful than stem cuttings taken on an angle.

Heel cuttings are taken with a small tag of older wood at their base that contains a larger area the bark’s cambium layer than stem cuttings.

The cambium contains auxins – naturally occurring growth hormones – which are helpful with difficult to root plants.

A close up horizontal image of heel cuttings taken from a bay laurel set on a wooden surface.
Heel cuttings. Photo by Lorna Kring.

In the past, I’ve tried rooting softwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings, and hardwood cuttings, both with and without rooting hormone powder, and cuttings in water. None rooted.

It wasn’t until I tried heel cuttings that rooting was successful.

Heel cuttings are most successful when taken in mid to late summer.

Be sure to read our guide on how to propagate bay laurel from cuttings and follow the instructions carefully to achieve the best results.

Transplanting

To transplant saplings, first loosen the planting site soil to a depth and width of 18 to 24 inches.

Mix in a shovelful or two of compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.

A top down horizontal image of bay laurel cuttings rooting in soil set on a wooden surface.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

Add in another shovelful or two of grit, such as landscape sand, pea gravel, or stone chips to improve drainage as needed.

Before planting, finish prepping the soil by mixing in two or three tablespoons of bone meal for healthy, strong roots.

Plant saplings at the same depth as in their nursery container.

Backfill with soil and firm in place.

Water gently but deeply to settle plants.

After planting, water regularly and deeply, providing one or two inches of water every week and allowing the top two inches of soil to dry between applications.

How to Grow Bay Laurel

L. nobilis grows best in moderately fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH of 5.5 to 7.5.

A close up horizontal image of three bay tree saplings growing in plastic containers, ready for transplanting.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

They prefer a full sun location in cooler regions and benefit from light afternoon shade in hot climates.

If you plan on letting your tree grow to its full size, plant in a sheltered location protected from high winds, which can cause weaker limbs to break.

Container plants typically need more frequent, weekly watering than those grown in the ground.

For container growth, use pots and planters with drainage holes. I like to add a two-inch layer of loose material such as broken pottery or pebbles to ensure the roots don’t sit in water.

Fill containers with nutrient rich, humusy, well-draining soil and transplant as described above.

Repot every two to three years, or when growth has doubled, gently trimming away approximately one-third of the roots and removing the top two to four inches of soil.

Replant the trimmed root ball in a fresh mix of fertile soil, replacing the top layer of soil as well.

Growing Tips

  • Plant in full sun.
  • Provide organically-rich, well-draining soil.
  • In the absence of rain, provide one to two inches of water.

Pruning and Maintenance

True laurel responds well to pruning, and how much to prune depends on whether your tree has been trained as a topiary, grown as a shrub, or allowed to mature into a full-sized tree.

A close up horizontal image of bay laurel branches pruned at an angle.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

For maintenance purposes, prune out any dead or damaged leaves and branches in mid to late spring.

For shrubs and specimen plants, use a clean, sharp saw or pruners to remove dead or broken branches close to the trunk, and remove any unwanted stems by cutting them close to the soil.

Mature, full-grown trees rarely get leggy, but they can be pruned hard if rejuvenation is needed.

However, regrowth is slow and it’s best to carry out hard pruning over a two- or three-year period to maintain some greenery while new growth forms. Cut back the stems by one-third or one-half in the first year, then repeat in years two and three as needed.

To reduce the width of plants with multiple stems, remove up to one third of the stems from the exterior perimeter, cutting at the soil level.

And don’t toss the wood after pruning larger branches. Instead, clean the limbs of foliage then cut the branches into six-inch pieces and use them on the BBQ to add a sweet, smoky flavor to grilled foods.

To maintain a manageable hedge or shrub size, in late spring cut back the previous year’s growth by pruning stems to a leaf bud pointing in the direction you want growth to follow.

Trim away lower branches for a bare trunk, and remove suckers by cutting them just below soil level.

Through summer, pinch back any stem tips that have grown too long.

To keep topiaries crisp, in early summer prune the current year’s growth by cutting back to leaf nodes facing the direction of desired growth. Step back frequently to check your progress and to maintain a balanced form, even trimming, and a harmonious shape.

Continue to clip topiaries over summer when growth is most vigorous – a summer trim quickly promotes branching with new growth and lush, dense foliage.

For winter care, protect the root zone with a thick, four-inch layer of mulch using compost, leafmold, untreated sawdust, or straw.

Should a period of freezing weather threaten, cover the foliage with a frost blanket to prevent blackened leaves.

Containers can be protected by placing them in a sheltered location with mulch on the soil surface. Protect the roots by wrapping the container with bubble wrap or an old blanket until spring.

In areas with harsh winters, move containers indoors to a bright, cool room. Reduce water and fertilizer applications and return the pots outdoors once overnight temperatures remain above 50°F.

Specimens growing in the ground require little supplemental feeding aside from a top dressing of two inches of compost in early spring.

Or you can apply a balanced, slow release granular fertilizer in midspring and again in midsummer.

Container plants need more frequent feedings. Use a liquid or water-soluble formula like fish or kelp emulsion applied at half strength every two weeks from spring until the end of August.

A close up of a bottle of Neptune's Harvest fertilizer isolated on a white background.

Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fish and Seaweed

Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fish and Seaweed fertilizer has a 2-3-1 (NPK) formula that laurels enjoy and is available at Arbico Organics.

Bay Laurel Cultivars to Select

You can find bay laurel varieties in well-stocked garden centers and online shops.

A close up square image of the foliage of a bay laurel growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Bay Laurel

Standard sized trees in containers are available at Nature Hills and Burpee.

In addition to the species plant, there are a number of L. nobilis cultivars available:

Aurea

‘Aurea,’ aka yellow-leaved bay tree, has glowing, golden-yellow foliage, and grows up to 32 feet tall with a spread of 26 feet.

Crispa

‘Crispa’ has undulating, wavy leaf edges and a pyramidal shape, reaching 15 feet tall and eight feet wide.

Little Ragu

A charming dwarf cultivar, Little Ragu® (‘MonRik’) features deeply aromatic, dark green foliage that grows in an easily maintained pyramid shape.

With a mature height and spread of six-to-eight feet, Little Ragu® is ideal for planters, pots, and urns, as a specimen or topiary standard, or clipped into a formal hedge.

A square image of a dwarf 'Little Ragu' sweet bay growing outside a residence.

Little Ragu

Little Ragu® can be purchased in nursery containers from Fast Growing Trees.

Or you can try your hand at seed-grown trees, with seeds available at Walmart.

Saratoga

‘Saratoga’ is a male cultivar that doesn’t produce fruit. It grows to a mature height of up to 30 feet with a spread of up to 25 feet.

Willow Leaf

Willow leaf, or narrow-leaved bay, (L. nobilis f. angustifolia) features narrow, lance-shaped leaves.

Managing Pests and Disease

Hardy and easily cultivated, bay laurel is largely disease- and pest-free, with only a few problems that are easily remedied.

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a bay tree suffering from disease.

Sapsucking insects like aphids, psyllids, and scale can cause yellow spotting on the leaves and may secrete a trail of honeydew that can lead to problems like sooty mold.

Remove aphids and psyllids with a strong spray of water from the garden hose or treat problem infestations and scale with a natural insecticide like neem oil.

Crown and root rot can be a problem in wet soil, causing yellowing leaves, wilting, and overall plant decline.

To prevent problems like root rot, ensure your trees are planted in well-draining soil.

Plant in raised beds if wet winter soil is common in your area or amend the planting site with plenty of grit to keep water flowing freely away from the roots.

For container plants, give pots and planters a thick layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot, and use only containers with drainage holes.

Harvesting

After trees are at least two years old, leaves can be harvested at any time throughout the year, but the flavor is best in summer.

Large, mature leaves have more flavor and fragrance than tender new growth.

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested bay leaves on a wicker tray.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

For the richest flavor, harvest leaves in the morning before the heat from the sun starts to dissipate the essential oils.

Choose large, healthy leaves and snip them off with clean, sharp scissors.

Preserving

To dry bay leaves, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or paper towels and spread the leaves out in a single layer without overlapping.

A close up horizontal image of bay leaves laid out on a kitchen towel to dry.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

Allow them to dry in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight for 10 to 14 days.

You can also dry the leaves in a food dehydrator at its lowest setting, this would normally take a few hours, depending on the humidity. Note that a standard oven is too hot to dry the leaves without burning them, even at its lowest setting.

Store the dried bay leaves in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid in a cool, dark cupboard for up to two years.

Fresh bay leaves can be placed in a sealed container or ziptop bag and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Plant Type:Evergreen treeFoliage Color:Green, yellow
Native to:Mediterranean BasinMaintenance:Low
Hardiness (USDA Zones):7-10Tolerance:Drought (once established), deer
Season:Year round foliage interestSoil Type:Moderately fertile
Exposure:Full sunSoil pH:5.5-7.5
Time to Maturity:2 years to harvest leavesSoil Drainage:Well-draining
Spacing:2 to 3 feet for hedges or screensAttracts:Bees
Planting Depth:Same depth as nursery containerCompanion Planting:Green beans; basil, coriander, oregano, parsley, and thyme
Height:Up to 60 feetOrder:Laurales
Spread:Up to 20 feetFamily:Lauraceae
Water Needs:ModerateGenus:Laurus
Common Pests and Diseases:Aphids, psyllids, scale; crown and root rotSpecies:Nobilis

Tasty Ornamentals

Bay laurel is a wonderfully versatile tree that adds visual interest to the garden all year long – and the tasty leaves are a delicious addition to many recipes!

A close up horizontal image of bay laurel foliage pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.
Photo by Lorna Kring.

Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and prune in summer for thick, lush foliage and to manage the size of container plants, hedges, screens, and topiary specimens.

For kitchen use, you can harvest the leaves at any time of the year, but they’re most flavorful in summer – remember to pick plenty to dry and store for winter use.

Container plant, hedge, or full-sized tree… how do you folks grow sweet bay? Let us know in the comments section below.

And for more L. nobilis know-how, check out these guides next:

Photo of author

About

A writer, artist, and entrepreneur, Lorna is also a long-time gardener who got hooked on organic and natural gardening methods at an early age. These days, her vegetable garden is smaller to make room for decorative landscapes filled with color, fragrance, art, and hidden treasures. Cultivating and designing the ideal garden spot is one of her favorite activities – especially for gathering with family and friends for good times and good food (straight from the garden, of course)!

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davie
davie (@guest_3306)
5 years ago

are the flowers of the sweet bay tree edible ?

Allison Sidhu
Allison Sidhu(@allison-sidhu)
Reply to  davie
5 years ago

This isn’t something that we’ve tried, but John Cox at Edible Monterey Bay says he likes to pickle California bay blossoms (Umbellularia californica) with champagne vinegar and sea salt, and claims they have “a flavor and texture reminiscent of capers.” Sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) is a different species, so we aren’t able to provide a definitive answer as of yet – we’re going to dig a little deeper, and we’ll get back to you with a more clear answer as soon as possible!

Allison Sidhu
Allison Sidhu(@allison-sidhu)
Reply to  Allison Sidhu
5 years ago

We were able to track down some information claiming the flowers are used to flavor wine in China, via Jack Stephens, reference librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library. But this may actually pertain more to sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans, or guì flower) rather than sweet bay. It seems they are not poisonous, but use of the flowers on their own/as is without some kind of pickling/preservation in vinegar or alcohol remains largely a mystery. We’ll let you know if we’re able to find out anything else!

Paul
Paul (@guest_3684)
4 years ago

Question:
I have a 6 week old seedling that I germinated, it has a 2 inch stem with 8 leaves towards the top each no longer than 1cm. Is slow growth like this normal as I’ve never grown one before?

Meg Ticknor
Meg Ticknor (@guest_4067)
4 years ago

I have a small plant I just bought intending to summer it outside in a pot, then back inside in fall (zone 5). My question is when should I start taking leaves off, is it smart to take the older ones on top off to encourage new growth? Thank you!

Carol
Carol (@guest_5166)
4 years ago

Someone gave me a three foot bay laurel. I watered it every three or so days and it was outside in the sun in a well-drained pot. The leaves began to fall a few at a time over a couple of weeks, then all of them fell off. Is it dead? Will it come back if I bring it inside?

Emiley
Emiley (@guest_5420)
4 years ago

I just acquired two bay laurel trees about 60” tall with the objective to sculpt them into single trunk topiaries. What percentage can I trim away without shocking it? They both have 2-3 large suckers. One sucker is as tall as the main trunk. Thank you for your help!

Kathy
Kathy (@guest_5615)
4 years ago

Hello, I am in zone 6 and would like to try growing bay leaf in order to cut enough stems to make a wreath in the fall. I have sourced some that sell plugs that I can pot up this spring. My two questions are, how much growth can I expect in the first season? And, two, since I must overwinter, I will have to plant in a container. What size container should I be using that would be sufficient for say a 3 or 4 foot shrub size that I can cut from and overwinter for several years?

Josephine
Josephine (@guest_5969)
4 years ago

My bay laurel plant has many new leaves growing. The leaves are soft, not leathery like the ones that were on the plant when I first bought it. Is there something I should be doing? Also, my plant has fungus gnats on it. How can I get rid of these?
Thanks,
Josephine

Josephine
Josephine (@guest_5990)
Reply to  Lorna Kring
4 years ago

Hi Lorna,
Thank you so much for your very helpful suggestions – I appreciate it so much. Should I pick the tender leaves and can I use them in cooking soups, sauces, etc.? Just to make sure I understand, I will need to wait for another set of leaves before they are the leathery ones? For controlling the gnats can I try the sand and watering from the bottom first, or should I try one of the two other methods first? Also, do I purchase the sand and other products from garden Centers?
Thank you Lorna,
Josephine

Josephine
Josephine (@guest_6008)
Reply to  Lorna Kring
4 years ago

Thank you so much Lorna – very helpful.
Josephine

Sharon
Sharon (@guest_6375)
3 years ago

My leaves on my tree are turning brown, falling off. Yet I have new leaves growing. My tree is about 5 or 6 years old. What am I doing wrong?

Anna
Anna (@guest_6412)
3 years ago

Hi, got the bay plant last year, how can you tell if the plant is dead? No leaves? No new growth?