Laurus Species, Bay Laurel, Bay Leaf, Sweet Bay, True Laurel
Laurus nobilis
Family: | Lauraceae (law-RAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Laurus (law-russ) (Info) |
Species: | nobilis (NO-bil-iss) (Info) |
Category:
Herbs
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Height:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Spacing:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Green
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From hardwood heel cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Daleville, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Foley, Alabama
Chuichu, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Morrilton, Arkansas
Banning, California
Carlsbad, California
Chico, California
Clovis, California
Encinitas, California
Los Angeles, California
Oxnard, California
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
San Jose, California
San Leandro, California
Santee, California
Sutter Creek, California
Van Nuys, California
Vista, California(9 reports)
Boca Raton, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida
Lady Lake, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Port Orange, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Cumming, Georgia
Honomu, Hawaii
Wailuku, Hawaii
Bossier City, Louisiana
Kenner, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Raymond, Mississippi
Henderson, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Brooklyn, New York
Kure Beach, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Tryon, North Carolina
Wilsons Mills, North Carolina
Lebanon, Oregon
North Plains, Oregon
Erie, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Conway, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Cordova, Tennessee
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas(2 reports)
Baytown, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Irving, Texas
Pflugerville, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Spring Branch, Texas
Temple, Texas
Tyler, Texas
Saint George, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Springfield, Virginia
Bremerton, Washington
Kirkland, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Oct 29, 2018, njacacia from Trenton, NJ wrote: I live in central NJ, zone 7 I believe. I have had 2 bay laurels which I purchased as 10" plants that were shipped to NJ. I could find no nurseries in NJ that carry them. They have done great, and are about 4' high after only 2 years. From March through October-November I leave them on my back deck which has a southwesterly exposure. They are able to tolerate full sun all afternoon. Til now I have brought them indoors to overwinter, but wonder if they might do ok outside if planted against a fence for some protection. I have also intentionally tried to keep them small by limiting the size of their pots, currently 15". I would love them to grow as trees outside if I can trust them to survive our winters. I love having these fresh leaves for cooking. |
Positive | On Mar 6, 2016, stephenp from Wirral, UK, Zone 9a, Surprisingly perhaps, to most people, Laurus nobilis is hardy in western UK, indeed there are many large specimens in my town which can be taller than 10-15 metres high. They are very fast growing, and when mature can probably survive in form down to -10C. There are trees in the town which are about 20 years old. Nice tree, but looks like any other tree when mature. |
Positive | On Sep 14, 2015, wendymadre from Petersburg, VA wrote: In my Zone 7A garden in Petersburg, Virginia, I take my two bay trees in for the winter. I trained them into five-foot standards (one trunk, lollipop trees) and put Christmas lights on them for the season. I started them from cuttings, and propagate the cuttings I now take from them when I prune them. This last season, I noticed that the cuttings taken in late May rooted promptly, and those taken in early August are still lagging. |
Negative | On Sep 8, 2015, donnacreation from Sumter, SC (Zone 8a) wrote: All of my red bay trees are dying from Laurel wilt here in central SC. It's a shame that such a beautiful native tree is dying out. |
Negative | On Sep 8, 2015, donnacreation from Sumter, SC wrote: All of my red bay trees are dying from Laurel wilt here in central SC. It's a shame that such a beautiful native tree is dying out. |
Negative | On Sep 8, 2015, donnacreation from Sumter, SC wrote: All of my red bay trees are dying from Laurel wilt here in central SC. It's a shame that such a beautiful native tree is dying out. |
Negative | On Sep 8, 2015, donnacreation from Sumter, SC wrote: All of my red bay trees are dying from Laurel wilt here in central SC. It's a shame that such a beautiful native tree is dying out. |
Neutral | On Dec 8, 2014, annhelen from Townsend, GA wrote: I do not have one of these Laurus nobilis, but we have native bay trees in abundance; the ''Sweet Bay", Red Bay, and Loblolly Bay. Although most have some fragrance to their leaves, and I suspect must be relatives of the European Laurel Bay, only the Red Bay has been used as a seasoning, like Laurus nobilis. The Red Bay has been attacked by beetle invasion, but most have come through unscathed. Wish someone would do an article on the native bays that also have uses, medicinal and culinary. A good link to the ambrosia beetle infestation of the Red Bay is: http://www.terrain.org/articles/22/cerulean.htm |
Positive | On Feb 6, 2014, saya from Heerlen, I grow it also in my garden. In harsh winters like in 2012 with temps below - 15C and nights down to - 20C for weeks it dies completely down. But soon as the sun warms up the soil it sprouts again. It grows fast but the bush is easy to keep in shape. Could not do without it for culinary use. |
Positive | On Jun 9, 2013, wtliftr from Wilson's Mills, NC wrote: we have one on our farm in Wilson's Mills, NC that I know has been there since at least 1980. I collected leaves from it for a science project that year. It's still in the same spot, in 2013. It's in bloom right now (June 9). |
Positive | On Jan 19, 2013, cubkat from Florence, AL wrote: I have had a Bay wherever we have lived so I wanted to have one here. It is a bit of trouble if we have very very cold nights but that is not often, so it is worth the trouble to cover it. It's about 2 1/2 feet tall. Died back to the ground the first year I had it but not since then. I planted it in a protected area that gets really good sun year round. |
Positive | On Jun 9, 2012, Mizzgnomer from Tryon, NC wrote: I have three young Sweet bays all so far are indoor trees they are all approximately 3 years old. They are in my kitchen window. I bought them all from the same sourse the new arrivals have pale green leaves just like my original one did, the original one's leaves have turned a beautiful dark green with the easternish exposure, I expect the new arrivals will soon darken as well in a few months. I've had my original bay for about two years. Usually plants/trees tremble when I buy them I have two brown thrumbs LOL. But my original bay tree has been triving! They see to be very hardy. I've read as much as I could find about them online. I use the leaves both fresh and dried I have a food dehyrdator and when I do pruning I dry those leaves and they keep holding flavor for at least a year... read more |
Positive | On May 26, 2012, elgordo75 from Surrey, I've grown this plant for three years in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. I started off with a 4-inch and now it's in a three gallon. I brought it in for the entire first winter, about half the second and left it outside (in a pot) throughout this past winter. There wasn't a trace of damage on it, and now it's growing like a weed. My wife uses it regularly in cooking. It's a great culinary and aesthetic shrub. |
Positive | On Mar 16, 2011, dblick from Denver, CO wrote: When we lived in Dana Point, California we had the most beautiful little tree that we planted in the back yard. The tree did well in that area though slow growing at first. We saved some of the leaves when we moved away. 12 years later the leaves still contain the wonderful scent of bay... |
Positive | On Mar 9, 2011, nancyanne from Lafayette, LA (Zone 9a) wrote: Bloom season inaccurate. Blooming 3/9/2011 in Lafayette, LA |
Neutral | On Oct 14, 2010, Skeeterellen from Chattanooga, TN wrote: I am trying to grow it in 37415. So far, so good, but we have had no frost. When should I bring it in? What if I leave it outside in a sheltered spot? |
Positive | On Sep 6, 2010, Donnabeverin from Earleville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: Everything I read says Laurus nobilis grows in zone 8, but there is a gorgeous, outstanding speciment at least 15 feet or more growing at the National Aboretum in DC....go visit. It is free to visit. |
Positive | On Nov 25, 2007, jtelles from Casa Grande, AZ wrote: I have had two bay trees. One was planted in full Central Arizona sunlight (temperatures up to 125) and it burned and died. The other was planted where it received morning light and afternoon shade and is kept well watered. It is doing extremely well and contributes its leaves to our annual Christmas day prime rib dinner and other favorite dishes throughout the year. |
Positive | On Sep 16, 2007, btc129psu from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: Sweet bay also makes a good house plant and seems adaptable to bonsai. My best friend has had a sweet bay growing in her living room for over 5 years now. I don't know how big it was when she planted it but it is currently about 5-6 feet. For most of the year it gets bright, diffuse sunlight through the bay window but in summer she moves it out to her front step where it gets dappled shade. |
Positive | On Jun 14, 2007, soldiersong from North Plains, OR (Zone 8a) wrote: This is our second year with our tree. We received it bareroot from One Green World. It is doing very well and is growing slowly, but steadily here 25 miles west of Portland Oregon at 600'. It is heavy clay soil with ammendment and receives water about twice a week during dry weather. It wintered well here. I believe our low this year was in the high 20's F. Didn't phase it a bit. |
Positive | On Nov 4, 2006, Nkytree from Burlington, KY wrote: I have two of these potted as summer patio trees here in Northern KY (Cincinnati metro area). Im always envious when I see one of these magnificant plants growing outside in milder climates. |
Positive | On Mar 9, 2006, rhondakirschman from Kill Devil Hills, NC (Zone 8a) wrote: I had one of these on a sandy hill in Colington, Kill Devil Hills, NC (Zone 8a). It grew very large and flavored many meals. I would recommend this shrub/herb to anyone who cooks. Any cheap chicken in a dutch oven w/a bay leaf and a couple spices will make you look like a super-chef in front of all your friends. |
Positive | On Nov 9, 2004, PvillePlanter from Pflugerville, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: My 3 year old bay tree is about 8 feet tall. Nice evergreen. Likes full sun but can tolerate some shade. Not too demanding water wise. Great winter interest since it is the only tree in my front yard that is evergreen. I keep a small jar of dried leaves on hand, but generally pick a fresh leaf or too and put it in pot right after picking. Dried leaves are also nice in potpouri and for craft projects. |
Positive | On May 10, 2004, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: I have a Sweet bay tree that is now 25 feet tall. It was a rather slow grower at the start, but now it grows fairly fast. I use the leaves in cooking and also dry some of them to give to my friends for their cooking. |
Neutral | On May 9, 2004, foodiesleuth from Honomu, HI (Zone 11) wrote: My plant is still sort of small, but seems to like it where its planted. Will post updates as it develops. It is now about 3 ft high and was planted as a little 4 " potted plant. |
Positive | On May 8, 2004, angelam from melbourne, We had a plant, about 4ft tall, that we needed to move as a new path was to go over its location. We only had one day to do it,if we were to get adequate roots,between the old path coming up and the new one going in. In the way of these things it ended up occurring on the hottest day of the Summer-well over 100 degrees. The new site hadn't been prepared as the work was rescheduled at very short notice. We got it up and into shade as fast as we could. Dug a hole and filled it several times with water before planting. I then pruned off all the new soft growth of the year to reduce stress. I watered it daily for the rest of that Summer and it survived. It grew very little the following Spring but has gone from strength to strength since. If it can survive moving on a day like that I'd reccomm... read more |
Positive | On Mar 13, 2004, watergarener from Denison, TX wrote: The Bay leaf can be successfully grown in zone 7a in texas, and it becomes a 10' tree.zone 7b is better but this part of Texas is about to be reclassified as b soon, we believe. You definitely want to remove it from your dish before serving. We really enjoy using this tree in our landscape jobs. |
Positive | On Jan 24, 2003, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Bay trees are notoriously difficult to over-winter in cold climates; withholding water in late summer and early autumn helps to induce semi-dormancy. |
Neutral | On Dec 3, 2001, Baa wrote: An evergreen tree or shrub from the Mediterranean. |