Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is an aromatic plant with glossy dark green leaves and small yellow flowers. The leaves are used as a culinary herb, and the wood is often used for making furniture and other crafts. Bay laurel is a slow-growing plant that can reach heights of up to 15 feet, with a spread of 10 feet. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can tolerate drought conditions. Bay laurel is an attractive, low-maintenance plant that is often used as a hedge or screen.
Planning Your Garden With Bay Laurel
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Bay laurel is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is hardy in USDA zones 8-10. |
| Cold Tolerance | Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a hardy evergreen shrub that can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | Bay laurel can be harvested after about 3-4 months of growth. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown bay laurel plant is between 6 and 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Bay laurel plants should be spaced at least 3 feet apart to allow for adequate air circulation and room to grow. |
| Sun tolerance | Bay laurel is moderately tolerant of full sun and is best grown in a location that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Bay laurel is moderately shade tolerant, but it prefers full sun. It can tolerate light shade, but it will not grow as vigorously in the shade. |
| Water requirements | Bay laurel requires moist, well-drained soil with an average amount of water. During the growing season, water the bay laurel deeply once a week, making sure to saturate the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. During the winter months, reduce watering to once a month. In general, bay laurel should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing bay laurel depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. If the soil is particularly poor, a higher rate of fertilizer may be necessary. |
| Soil pH | Bay laurel prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Bay Laurel is Popular
People like to grow bay laurel for a variety of reasons. Bay laurel is an attractive evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves that can be used in cooking. It is also a low maintenance plant that can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners who don't want to spend a lot of time tending to their plants. Additionally, bay laurel is a symbol of victory, success, and honor, making it a favorite choice for landscaping.
Companion Plants For Bay Laurel
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for bay laurel include:
Common Pests For Bay Laurel
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow bay laurel, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
- scale insects
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
