Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
Bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree whose aromatic leaves flavour stocks, soups and stews. It is slow-growing, clips well into topiary, and is happy in a large pot on a sunny patio.
Photo: Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water when the top of the soil is dry; avoid waterlogging.
Soil
Well-drained soil or loam-based potting mix; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-5–38 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer when grown in a pot.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, layering
Clip in summer to shape; it makes a fine standard or cone.
Bay leaves are safe in cooking, but remove whole leaves before serving. The plant can upset the stomachs of cats and dogs.
Top Cultivation Tips
Dry leaves for a stronger flavour.
Protect potted plants from hard frost.
Check leaf undersides for scale.
Different from Indian bay leaf (tej patta).
Common problems
Root rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →DiseaseSooty mould
A black, powdery fungal coating that grows on the sticky honeydew left by sap-sucking insects, blocking light from leaves.
How to treat it →
