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Bay laurel

Bay laurel

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis),Bay Tree, Sweet Bay has been grown as an ornamental plant since ancient times. It is an aromatic evergreen Mediterranean herb that has dark green, glossy, leaves, produces pale yellow flowers followed by black shiny berries (bacca-laureus). A slow-growing, frost tender perennial, Bay laurel makes an ideal trimmed potted plant that can grow up to 10 feet but most likely 5 feet in a container which should be brought indoors for the winter where it will remain green but dormant.

Bay laurel is grows best in fertile, light, loose soil, full sun to partial shade and moderate temperatures. Because it is susceptible to sunburn, grow it in dappled shade during the hot summer. Because bay laurel is slow and difficult to propagate, it is easier to purchase a potted plant from the garden center.

To root bay laurel take a 4 inch cutting of new growth and strip away all but the top 2 leaves, dip in rooting hormone and plant in a 1/2 sand 1/2 peat mix. Cover with clear plastic and place in a warm shady area. Cuttings can be taken 8 weeks after new spring growth and rooting can take up to 6 weeks. Late summer/early fall cuttings are slower to root and will take several months. It can also be started from seed in early spring.

The leaves of bay laurel can be dried whole or crushed and used in cooking. It can be harvested all year round but the best time to dry the leaves is in August when the leaves are most favorful. It is used as part of the classic bouquet garni which consists of bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, parsley and black peppercorn tied in a muslin bag. The oil is used for treating internal disorders, ear aches, rheumatism, ointments, soaps and perfumes even an insect repellant. The leaves are also used in garlands, funeral and memorial wreaths.

Laurus nobilis is not poisonous, whereas most other laurels are.
Troubleshooting

Bay laurel tends to get scale , small, brown, raised spots clustered on the undersides of leaves and along the stems. Clean the leaves in spring and fall with a cottom ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to control the pest. .
Scale on bay leafsoluble salt damage

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7 comments to Bay laurel

  • Debra MacPhail

    Where can I buy a bay laurel? Is it hardy in zone 8?

    Bay Laurel is hardy in zone 7-10. Might find some on the internet or even your local nursery.

  • Waverly Fitzgerald

    I live in Zone 8 and have a very healthy bay laurel tree. Was told it wouldn’t make it through the winters outside but it has for over ten years now. If it got very cold, I was told I could protect it by putting a blanket over it, but I have never had to resort to that. There’s another bay laurel tree flourishing in my neighborhood in Seattle.

  • tandra mathis

    i have a bay laurel that has grown good. i brought in for winter. now the leaves are looking different color & feels like they are drying out. i check soil and top inch is little dry, but past inch it’s moist. the trunk still looks green & has some new growth. the leaf color change starts @ tip & works down leaf. it kind of makes me think it’s drying from lack of water, but like i said soil is moist. i don’t know alot about the plant, just that i cook w/ bay leaf alot, i love the plant, & not very winter hardy,
    i live in zone 7/8, Bonham, Tx. can you help? i’ve search the web, but only thing i know more about plant is history, & resist insects & dieases.
    thanks tandra

    Hi Tandra
    There are many factors that can cause browning leaf tips: overwatering, underwatering, low humidity, too high, too low temperatures and drastic temperature change. The damaged leaves will eventually fall off and new growth will replace and fill in.

    After more research I found that tan margins on bay leaves can be caused by soluble salt damage to the roots. An accumulation of soil salts (mineral deposits) from fertilizers and or dry soil. This happens when you don’t water properly. Kncok the plant out of the pot and check the roots. You should have creamy white roots, if not then there is root damage due to soluble salt accumulation. To correct this problem, leach out the excess soil salts by watering your plant thoroughly to get all the roots wet. Water until it flows out of the bottom of the pot and then repeat once more. Excess salts will wash out with the draining water.
    To avoid this problem- each time you water be sure it drains from the bottom and re-water when the top 2 inches feel dry. The time span between watering should be longer in winter as plants are not actively growing. See above picture

  • Danielle

    I have a Bay Tree which for the past 7 years and until now it has been a very healthy specimen.
    I noticed approx 2 Months ago that it looked a little sad and the leaves were turning yellow. I had never repotted the tree since I had it & so presumed it needed a larger container.
    After repotting we had a great deal of rain and having changed the clay container for a resin style I noticed no improvement in the colouration or health. It is now June and the tree is looking very poor, the leave are withered and a brownish yellow.
    Any ideas?

    Hi Danielle
    In addition to transplant shock, the extra moisture from the rain may have stressed the roots more. It may be that your bay laurel was too wet and the roots started to rot. You don’t mention wether the pot drains from the bottom. Bay leaf likes well drained, loose soil. Put it in a dry, semi shade area so that it can recup and grow more roots to maintain the leaves. You can also prune it back by 1/3. It’s not too late to send out new growth from the nodes.

  • c.warwick

    what is the best treatment for my bay tree. It has got a black sticky matter on the leaves. I have tried fairy liquid spray. What else can I try.

    Hi
    Sound like your bay tree may have scale-an insect that favors bay. Our article on scale has other suggestions for treatment.

  • Abigail

    We recently moved house and I replanted my Bay tree in the ground after several years of it being in a container. The leaves have now started to go from a healthy green to a yellowish-brown, and have black spots. It is quite a large bush, about 3 ft tall. Did it just object to being moved, or is it something more serious?

    Hi Abigail
    It may be both. When transplanted a plant is in its weakened state and can become suceptible to disease. It may be shedding some of its leaves to accommodate the “damaged” root system. As for the spots on the leaves-it may be a leaf spot of some type perhaps Anthracnose. Hopefully, your bay tree will recover. If new growth also has leaf spot then take a sample to your local extension office to find out what it is.

  • Audrey Davis

    I recently bought a Bay Laurel “tree” it is only about 18″ tall but it has 2 distinct stalks and i would like to create a topiary look, I was wondering is it possible to seperate these and make 2 plants out of it? It looks to be a young plant. It is healthy and now in a 8″ pot so the 2 stalks are not close enough to twist into a single one Can i cut down through the roots between these 2 stalks without harming the plant?
    Thanks for your input…Aud

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