Instructions
- Choose a spot that gets full sun to partial shade.
- Dig a hole and add compost or other organic matter.
- Place the bay leaf plant in the hole, water well and keep evenly moist.
- Be sure the soil drains well.
- Fertilize in spring and summer in following years.
- Bay plants will grow tall outdoors. If growing in a pot, prune to 5-6 feet.
- Choose a spot that gets full sun to partial shade.
- Dig a hole and add compost or other organic matter.
- Place the bay leaf plant in the hole, water well and keep evenly moist.
- Be sure the soil drains well.
- Fertilize in spring and summer in following years.
- Bay plants will grow tall outdoors.
How do you grow a bay leaf tree?
- Take a heel cutting, a fresh shoot or tip in early summer or in autumn/fall. ...
- Remove the upper and lower leaves from the cutting.
- Dip the intended root end into hormonal cutting mix. ...
- Put the cutting into a container filled with two-thirds coarse sand and one-third peat moss.
Can you grow a bay leaf?
To start growing bay leaves in containers, you can plant bay leaf seeds. But seeds take a long time to get started. It’s faster if you purchase small seedlings. They will ultimately grow into mature bay trees. Drainage is very important to a bay leaf. Select a container with ample drain holes and use container soil that drains easily.
How to grow a bay leaf tree?
Steps Download Article
- Purchase a bay tree seedling or take cuttings. Many nurseries and garden centers will have a bay tree in their herbal area.
- Plant the bay tree. Decide whether you want to grow the bay tree in the garden or in a container. ...
- Keep watered but allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between watering. ...
- Mulch the bay tree. ...
- Fertilize once every spring. ...
Is Laurel and bay leaf from the same plant?
Yes, the laurel leaf and the bay leaf are the same thing. Bay leaves come from an ancient Mediterranean tree called the bay laurel tree or Laurus nobilis, from the family Lauraceae. Besides bay leaves, laurel leaves, or bay laurel, they are also sometimes called sweet bay or true laurel. Spanish speakers call them laurel and in Italian they are ...
How do you care for a bay leaf tree indoors?
If you grow your bay tree indoors, keep it near a sunny window for the winter. Avoid exposure to both drafts and heat from appliances and heating and air conditioning ducts. Outdoor plants prefer partial shade but will tolerate full sun. In areas with hot, dry summers, some afternoon shade is ideal.
Does bay leaf need full sun?
Bay laurel trees enjoy full sun if planted in cold climates, and partial shade if in hotter zones. Plant your tree in a location that gets full sun and partial shade.
How do you water a bay leaf plant?
Position: Bay trees love a sunny or partially shaded area of the garden. Watering: Water regularly with well-drained soil during the growing season. Don't allow roots to stand in water. Less water is required in the winter months, but don't allow the tree to dry out.
How often should you water a bay leaf plant?
When the top 1 inch of soil dries out, it's time to water. Bay trees don't need a lot of water when planted in the ground, but pots dry out more quickly. Water regularly year-round to keep the soil damp.
Can you grow a bay leaf tree indoors?
Bay laurel is typically grown as a tree that can reach staggering heights upwards of 50-feet; it also works incredibly well as a container plant that moves between your outdoor and indoor spaces, or is kept indoors year-round.
Can bay leaves be grown in pots?
Can you grow bay in a container? It is entirely possible. A bay leaf tree in a pot is attractive, accepts pruning, and stays much smaller than forest trees.
When should you repot a bay leaf?
Repot your plant in spring into fresh, well-drained compost. Yellow leaves - older leaves will shed naturally in low numbers. Nutrient deficiency can be the problem in container-grown plants but is more commonly caused by waterlogged compost or cold weather damage.
Why are my bay tree leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing bay leaves can be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. Iron chlorosis can develop when your soil is too alkaline or if there is root damage. With this problem, you may see your bay leaves begin to turn yellow at the edges first, while the veins remain green. You can correct the pH with sulfur or peat moss.
Why are the leaves on my bay tree turning brown?
Brown leaves on the inside of bay trees are a regular occurrence, particularly after long, dry summers. It is caused by the plant becoming excessively dry over January and February. Bay trees grow especially well in a rich soil that is kept well-watered.
How tall does a bay leaf plant grow?
Although it can grow into a tree up to 40 to 50 feet tall, bay is often maintained as a large shrub in containers. In spring, it puts out small yellow flowers, which by fall develop into dark purple berries. Bay leaves are best known as a seasoning for spaghetti sauce and other Italian dishes.
Do bay trees lose their leaves?
Bay laurel is, by its nature, an evergreen, so dropping bay leaves may seem like a big deal when it occurs, especially if those leaves turn yellow or brown before they drop. Often, there's a simple fix for a bay tree dropping leaves, here are some common reasons why this occurs: Normal leaf shedding.
How do you repot a bay leaf plant?
As a general rule, expect to have to re-pot your bay every two to three years. Rather than having to keep increasing the size of the pot, tease away one third of the roots and then re-pot into the same container with fresh compost around the now-smaller rootball.
Where do bay trees grow best?
full sunChoose a sheltered spot protected from strong winds in full sun. If your soil isn't well drained, consider growing plants in 30cm (12in) pots filled with soil-based or multipurpose, (including peat free) compost.
What temperature can bay leaf tolerate?
20FBay is a half-hardy shrub or small tree that can tolerate winter temperatures no lower than 20F (-7C). In cold climates, bay is best grown in a container that can be kept indoors in winter.
Do bay trees need sun?
Bay hails from the Mediterranean, so does best in full sun to partial shade, ideally in a sheltered position, as it's not completely hardy when young. In exposed gardens, bay can cope with temperatures down to about -5ºC but can suffer leaf damage.
When can I put my bay tree outside?
In warm weather states, such as California, plant your bay trees outdoors from fall through spring. In colder climates from zone 3 to 5, plant your bay trees in tubs. Then set them outside in spring once temperatures are consistently above freezing.
What is the problem with bay leaf plants?
These tiny insects can be seen under leaves or on stems. You may not have to do anything because the growth of Bay Leaf Plants may not be affected. But attracting or introducing predatory insects can help restore the natural balance in your garden. Parasitic wasps are sometimes introduced for biological control of soft scales.
How to grow bay leaf seeds?
Bay Leaf Plants are dioecious, which means that both male and female Bay Leaf Plants are necessary to produce viable seeds. These seeds will only form on female Bay Leaf Plants when their small yellow flowers give way to small, dark purple egg-shaped berries in the fall. Inside each berry is a seed. Remove the pulp from the berries and plant the seeds immediately. If you do not plant immediately, or buy dried seeds, soak them in warm water 24 hours before planting. Plant Bay Leaf Plants under a thin layer of moist growing medium. Keep the medium moist and warm at about 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). Seeds can take anywhere from 10 days to 6 months to germinate.
What is a willow leaf laurel?
Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia': Also known as willow-leaf laurel, the narrow leaves of this cultivar are prized for their attractive texture when the tree is pruned.
Why are my bay leaf plants dying?
This is usually caused by harsh winter weather, and while it looks bad, as long as the rest of the Bay Leaf Plants are growing normally, it shouldn't be fatal and your Bay Leaf Plants should recover.
What to look for when bay leaf plants have curly leaves?
If Bay Leaf Plants have curly leaves that look ugly and discolored, look for small gray insects just below the edges of the curly leaves. You probably have a box of Bay Leaf Plants suction cups. While unsightly, the good news is that the long-term health of plants is usually unaffected. Remove and dispose of affected leaves.
Why are bay leaf plants not growing in containers?
This usually indicates a problem with standing water or wet weather. Bay Leaf Plants in containers are more prone to this problem. This usually indicates that compost must be updated and Bay Leaf Plants should be repotted.
How tall can a bay leaf tree grow?
A Bay Leaf Plant is easy to grow, but you will need to remember that this tree can grow up to fifty feet tall. Bay Leaf Plant is native to the Mediterranean region, and it cannot be grown in all regions around the world.
What is the best way to care for a bay tree in winter?
Caring for a bay tree in winter means making sure it is warm enough, out of the wind, and relatively dry. It takes some extra steps to grow a bay tree in a colder climate, but it is well worth it for the fragrant leaves and the pretty ornamental element it adds to any garden. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 09/07/20.
Where are bay trees native to?
By: Mary Ellen Ellis. Printer Friendly Version. Image by ChalkyWhite. A bay tree is a large, attractive shade tree and is native to the Mediterranean region. This means it does not tolerate cold winters. Properly caring for a bay tree in winter is crucial if you want it to survive to see the next spring and summer.
What is a bay tree called?
About Bay Tree Winter Care. Bay trees are also called bay laurel, sweet bay, or true laurel, and most people associate them with the culinary herb used so often in soups and stews. Bay trees can grow quite large, but they can also be kept trimmed and shaped, making them good choices for yards and gardens or containers.
Can bay trees stay outside?
Bays do best when they can stay outside as much as possible, so keep it outdoors until temperatures drop. If you are in a zone that is borderline, or if you have a particularly cold winter coming, you will need to consider winter bay tree care for those plants that remain outdoors. Some concerns are wind and water.
Do bay trees like wind?
Bay trees don’t like too much wind at any time of year, so if planting outside, find a sheltered spot. As a Mediterranean native, bay does not like too much water. If you have a winter rainy season, be careful of your tree’s roots getting too soggy.
Can you grow bay trees in containers?
Bay trees are only hardy to zones 8 through 10. This means that if you live in colder zones, you can grow bay in a container, but it will need some winter care.
Pick this versatile, fragrant herb right from your garden
Kerin is an expert sustainable farming writer who has worked with food-related nonprofits and has taught a high school Farm to Form program. In addition to writing for Treehugger, she works on developing her non-toxic, wildlife-friendly farm.
How to Plant Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is known for repelling pests, so it is a welcome helper around the garden. This slow-growing tree can be grown indoors, but in a warm climate, it will grow faster and taller if planted outdoors in soil.
Bay Laurel Plant Care
Bay laurel is prone to few pests or diseases, perhaps because of its strong aroma and phytochemicals. Basic care after proper planting should keep your tree beautiful and productive.
Common Pests and Diseases
Scale is the most likely pest to trouble a bay laurel plant. Sap-sucking scale insects can look like tiny barnacles or a waxy white coating along the branches.
How to Harvest Bay Leaves
You can pick a few fresh, mature leaves at any time. But keep in mind that, according to one source, leaves should not be picked when the plant is wet. 2 The flavor may mellow if you pick leaves and allow them to dry in the shade for two to three days.
When should I plant a bay tree?
Planting bay trees is best done in early spring when they are semi-dormant. You can grow a bay tree simply as an ornamental plant or as part of your culinary arsenal. Growing a bay tree from cuttings or air layering is the common form of propagation. Cuttings should be taken in late summer and set into a soil-less medium.
How tall are bay leaves?
The sweet bay leaf tree ( Laurus nobilis) is a 40- to 50-foot (12 to 15 m.) tall tree native to the Mediterranean region. It was once made into a wreath to crown the winners of ancient Greek games. The tree is considered to be one of the oldest cultivated tree species.
How hot does a bay tree need to be?
Place a potted plant in an area where temperatures range from 45 to 64 F. (7 to 17 C.) and where sunlight is from a southern or eastern direction.
When do sweet bay leaf trees bloom?
Sweet bay leaf tree is frost tender and is only hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 7. It prefers a full sun exposure and blooms in spring to summer. The leaves are leathery and stiff with a strong mid-rib.
Can you harvest bay leaf?
Leaves may be harvested at any time but the best flavor can be had from larger, mature leaves. Lay the leaves out to dry and crush them or use them whole but remove before eating. The leaves are a common ingredient in the French seasoning packet, bouquet garni, which is wrapped in cheesecloth and steeped in soups and sauces. It is worth learning how to grow a bay leaf tree for ornamentation and fresh wholesome seasoning.
How long do bay tree leaves dry?
Plants should be at least two years old before the leaves are harvested. Cure the leaves by laying them on parchment paper and allowing them to dry for two weeks in a warm, dry place. Leaves of the bay tree have many culinary uses.
What are the leaves of a bay tree?
Bay is also a traditional component of the French bouquet garni herbs. The dark green leaves are very fragrant, especially when dried. As a seasoning, dried leaves are broken or crumbled into cooking foods and allowed to permeate the dish.
What is the color of the leaves on Laurus nobilis?
Laurus nobilis 'Aurea': This variety exhibits new leaves that are bright yellow and aromatic.
What is a willow leaf laurel?
Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia': Also known as willow-leaf laurel, the narrow leaves of this cultivar are prized for their attractive texture when the tree is pruned. Laurus nobilis 'Aurea': This variety exhibits new leaves that are bright yellow and aromatic.
How tall can a bay laurel grow?
Pruning Bay Laurel. If left unpruned, bay trees can grow 60 feet tall. Container-grown trees and trees that are regularly pruned will not get anywhere near that tall. To keep your potted bay tree portable, keep it pruned to a manageable size and desirable shape. Pruning is usually done in the spring, as new growth is just beginning.
How big do bay laurel trees grow?
Potted plants are generally kept to 4 to 6 feet, while untended landscape plants can eventually grow into 60-foot trees. In the spring, bay laurel has small yellow flowers that develop into purple berries in the fall. Frequent pruning will mean fewer flowers and berries.
What is a bay laurel?
The leaves of bay laurel are best known for their use as a kitchen seasoning, but bay laurel is actually an evergreen shrub or tree native to the Mediterranean area. It has large, pointed oval leaves that are deep, glossy green in color with a leathery texture. Its natural habit is to grow into a considerable tree with multiple stems that support a dense green pyramidal canopy. But this plant willingly accepts heavy pruning, so you will just as often see it appearing as a shrub or container plant kept trimmed into a dense green mass. Potted plants are generally kept to 4 to 6 feet, while untended landscape plants can eventually grow into 60-foot trees.
What are bay leaves used for?
Bay leaves have been used to flavor many foods, including soups, marinades, stews, casseroles, meat, fish, and more. One leaf is usually sufficient to flavor the entire dish and it should be removed prior to serving.
How to propagate a bay tree?
Many nurseries and garden centers will have a bay tree in their herbal area. If you'd rather take a cutting to propagate it, then follow these steps: Take a heel cutting, a fresh shoot or tip in early summer or in autumn/fall. Cut from a mature bay tree.
How long does it take for a bay tree to grow?
It will take around 9 months for the cutting to root. Plant the bay tree. Decide whether you want to grow the bay tree in the garden or in a container. It will do well in both places but the container bay tree will need to be given continuous re-potting and renewed soil to ensure best growth.
What is the bay tree?
The bay tree ( Laurus Nobilis) has been treasured by people for millennia for its culinary uses, its beauty, and its representation of wisdom and victory.
Is the bay tree slow growing?
The bay tree is very slow growing; be patient!
Is a bay tree thick?
Once grown, the shade created by a bay tree is very thick. Keep this in mind when deciding where to plant it.
Do bay trees need regular watering?
Bay trees in a container need more regular watering.
