How to Grow Bay Laurel - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree with aromatic leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as a spice in many cuisines. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, and the essential oil is used in perfumery and for medicinal purposes.

How to Grow Bay Laurel - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub
  • Culinary herb
  • Laurus nobilis
  • Sweet bay
  • bay laurel

Things to Know

  • Bay laurel is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 m tall.
  • It has smooth, leathery leaves that are dark green in color and can be up to 10 cm long.
  • The tree produces small, yellow-green flowers that bloom in the spring.
  • The fruit of the bay laurel is a small, black berry that is poisonous to humans.
  • Bay laurel is native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated since ancient times.
  • It is widely used in cooking, particularly in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
  • The leaves can be used fresh or dried, and are often used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces.
  • Bay laurel essential oil is used in many commercial products, such as soaps and cosmetics.
  • The tree is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
  • Bay laurel is considered to be an invasive species in some parts of the world.

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

Growing Steps

  1. For bay laurel, first step is to find a location that has well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
  2. Once you have found the perfect location, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the pot the plant is currently in.
  3. Next, mix in some compost or organic matter to the hole.
  4. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole.
  5. Fill in the hole with the soil mixture, tamping it down as you go.
  6. Water the plant thoroughly.
  7. Add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
  8. Bay laurel does not need to be fertilized often, but you can give it a light application of fertilizer in the spring.
  9. To keep your plant tidy and promote new growth, prune it in the early spring.
  10. Finally, enjoy your beautiful bay laurel plant!

Related plant:
Japanese Barberry

Soil Condition

About soil condition, bay laurel prefers well-drained soils, whether sandy, loamy or clay. It is not particular about soil pH, but it cannot tolerate wet or waterlogged soils. Once established, bay laurel is quite drought tolerant.

Light condition

So, like the other herbs, bay laurel requires sun to grow. It should be placed in an area of the garden that gets full sun to partial shade. Bay laurel can also be grown in pots and containers, as long as they are placed in a sunny spot.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for bay laurels is one that is warm and humid. This type of environment is necessary in order for the plant to thrive and produce the most flavorful leaves. Bay laurels can tolerate some cold temperatures, but they will not produce as much flavor in the leaves if they are grown in cooler climates.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-70%. The plant does not tolerate drought well, and will drop leaves if the soil is allowed to dry out. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this family of plant foods contains the three primary nutrients needed for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Though there are many different types and formulations of fertilizer, they all contain these three nutrients in varying proportions. Fertilizers can be applied to the soil or directly to the leaves of plants. Fertilizers can be inorganic, such as commercial products, or they can be organic, such as manure or compost. Bay laurel is a hardy, evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 15 feet. It has a dense, pyramidal growth habit with glossy, dark green leaves. Bay laurel is tolerant of a wide range of soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. Bay laurel is not particular about fertilizer and does not need a lot of extra nutrients. However, you may want to apply a general purpose fertilizer to the soil around your bay laurel shrub once a year to give it a boost.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your bay laurel is an important step in keeping your plant healthy. Bay laurels can be pruned anytime during the growing season, but the best time to prune is in late winter or early spring. This will give the plant time to recover from the pruning and produce new growth. When pruning, make sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Also, remove any branches that are growing in an undesirable direction.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is relatively easy, as bay laurel will root readily from semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer. It can also be grown from seed, although germination can be erratic and it can take several years for a seedling to come into flower.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the species of the plant. Soil quality, climate, and amount of sunlight also play a role in how quickly a bay laurel plant will grow. In general, bay laurels grow relatively slowly. They may take several years to reach their full size and may not produce fruit for several years.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are root rot, fungal diseases, and caterpillars. Root rot is the most common problem and is caused by too much moisture in the soil. This can be prevented by planting in well-drained soil and watering only when the soil is dry. Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot can be controlled by using a fungicide. Caterpillars can be controlled by using an insecticide.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your bay laurel in an area that receives full sunlight.
  • Bay laurel prefers well-drained soil, so make sure to plant it in an area that has good drainage.
  • Water your bay laurel regularly, but make sure not to overwater it.
  • Fertilize your bay laurel every few months with a high-quality fertilizer.
  • Prune your bay laurel regularly to encourage new growth and to keep it looking its best.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them immediately if you see any signs.
  • Harvest your bay laurel leaves as needed, and dry them for later use.
  • Store your dried bay laurel leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
  • Use your bay laurel leaves to flavor soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes.

Alternative Plants

  • Bay Bolete
  • Bay Boletus
  • Bay polypody
  • Bay Puffball
  • Bay Stropharia
  • Bay Tree
  • Bay Willow
  • Baya
  • Bayaban
  • Bayamo

Source:
Laurel Bay Schools | DoDEA
Laurel Career College & Tech School in Pennsylvania | Laurel …
SOD: Bay Laurel Removal - Rausser College of Natural Resources

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Herbs Category