Bay Laurel

Laurus nobilis

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8a-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub or Tree

Height at Maturity: 6 to 30′ depending on pruning

Width at Maturity: 5 to 20′ depending on pruning

Spacing: 5-10′ for hedges or privacy screens; 20’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Dense, Pyramidal

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Yellow-Green

Flower Size: Small

Flowering Period: March to May

Flower Type:

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes, aromatic

Berries: Only on female plants if pollinated

Berry Color: Purple-black

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.5 – 8 (Acid or Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low to Average depending on whether you prune it to control size

Attracts: Visual Attention, Birds

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Mildew

Description

Most known for its flavorful and aromatic leaves that are used to add earthy flavor to stews, soups and sauces and for potpourri, the Bay Laurel, also known as Sweet Bay, is an exceptionally versatile ornamental evergreen tree from the Mediterranean. It can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 8a-11 or indoors as a year round house plant! Though it can slowly grow to 30 feet tall or more in height (when growing outdoors in the ground) and up to 20 feet wide, it responds very well to pruning so can easily be maintained at a height of 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide or so. Plants growing indoors or outdoors in pots can be kept even smaller.

The thick and leathery shiny dark green leaves are densely packed on the branches which make the Bay Laurel a perfect choice as an aromatic screen plant outdoors. Small yellowish flowers appear March to May and stand out quite well against the dark leaves. As your Bay Tree grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive evergreen tree. Because it responds so well to pruning it’s a fine candidate for various topiary shapes including cones, columns, pompom, poodle tier and standards.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 5 to 30 feet in height and 6 to 8 feet wide (depending on pruning), the Bay Laurel can be grown outdoors as a specimen, in groupings or as a privacy screen outdoors or can be grown year round as an indoor houseplant.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 10 feet apart for solid privacy screens and hedges; 20 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a, where Bay Laurel is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

The Bay Laurel is exceptionally easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It grows in a very wide range of soil pH. Four hours or more of direct sunlight per day is suggested for best leaf flavor. Minimal if an maintenance when left to grow natural. Occasional pruning will be necessary to control size.

Helpful Articles

Outdoors:

Plant as you would a Holly Tree

Prune as you would a Holly Tree

Indoors:

Plant in a pot at least 12 inches in rim diameter (larger is better for long term). Use potting mix or quality potting soil to fill the pot within 1 inch of the top. Lining the bottom of the pot with a landscape fabric is suggested to keep the drainage hole from becoming stopped up by roots. Keep pot situated near a sunny window and away from heating and air vents.

Harvesting Leaves

You can pick leaves anytime. Leaves that dry and fall off the tree are still fragrant and usable as well. Annual pruning for size control or shaping purposes is usually done in late winter to early spring. You can prune as much or as little as you like.

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

We have never purchased a plant successfully off the internet. Wilson Bros Gardens changed that. So happy with our bay laurel purchase. The plant was much larger than we expected and very healthy. A great specimen. We will purchase from Wilson Bros Gardens again!—————————————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived in great shape and healthy. I have already used a couple of leaves for a pickle recipe. Looking forward to having this plant around for a long time.———————————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My expectations were low! You blew me out of the water! This little Bay Laurel tree arrived healthy and well. It sits in my sunny window now, just smiling. Thank you for your service and for GREATLY exceeding my expectations. Great job!——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Thrilled to have found a sweet Bay – none in Arkansas? Could not believe. This was my first order from Wilson and was over the moon how well-packed the plant was – about one foot high in a one gallon pot, loads of leaves and growing well after 3 weeks here. We are so hot right now, I have it in the garden room, near a grow light to accustom it to the shock of 100 degrees. Will plant it out later in August.————————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This was my first time shopping a Wilson Bros… It was an amazing experience! I bought the 1 gallon bay leaf tree! Super fast shipping; tree arrived in great condition ; and the packaging was A++++. I’m now waiting for the 2 gallon to return to stock so that I can purchase that as well… Great Job!!———————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful tree. Exactly what I was looking for. Quick customer service response and fast shipping! Couldn’t ask for a better experience.————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I’m very pleased with my Bay Laurel purchase. I received a well-established plant that was packaged with care to help ensure safe delivery.——————————————Thanks for the awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived in perfect condition. It was larger than expected as other sellers were offering plants half the size for twice the price. Definitely saving this site for future purchases.—————————————————–Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Two very nice bay laurels arrived safely. They are thriving and I look forward to their contributions to future gumbos!—————————————————————Thanks for the wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plants were huge beautiful, the best I ever ordered. I’ll be back for more.—————————————————-Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Not a huge plant, as expected, but healthy and vigorous. Seems really happy inside in a bright room.———————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Things I like:: accurate description of plant that includes zone appropriate plants. Plants are shipped safely and healthy. Communication as to when plant is expected to ship and arrive. Mostly, plants are health and ready to grow.————————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived in. great condition although the outside temp was in the teens and the plant was very cold, it revived upon being brought into the house.—————————————————-Yay! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I love the laurel plant. It was sent quickly is very healthy and growing!
Merry Christmas!——————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Merry Christmas to you! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This was my fist experience shopping here. I purchased two Bay plants, one gallon size, and they arrived in excellent condition. I repotted both plants and they are healthy and thriving. The customer service provided to me prior to ordering in selecting the right size plants was second to none. I will be a repeat customer!———————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived promptly. Well packaged, very healthy, and currently doing just fine. Thanks————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

First and foremost, I have purchased a number of plants on-line over the years, but have NEVER received a plant that was so well packaged! Truly impressive! The bay laurel is very healthy, had a good root ball, and transplanted easily. I am growing this indoors as a container plant, and it is thriving.————————————————————-Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I’ve been looking for a culinary Bay tree for years! Until now the only ones I could find were in 3-4” pots and were,maybe, 6” tall. This plant was in a gallon pot and is 15” tall with at least 5 branches that are strong, healthy, and nicely pruned to promote fullness as it grows. The price was very reasonable and the shipping was free! I am very impressed with this company and highly recommend them for your plant needs.———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Shipping was prompt. The plant was carefully packed and arrived in excellent health. In the short time I’ve had it, it seems to have adapted well to its new pot on my sunny windowsill and is already putting out new growth.—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received the Bay in a timely manner, well packed, and healthy. Once it has had time to acclimate, I will repot. I did purchase it for a kitchen garden, and am happy it is so healthy to start with.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Every plant I have received is exceptional. I look forward to their emails, to see what amazing plants they offer.
Excellent service too! I highly recommend.——————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Tree arrived in excellent shape, well packaged and healthy. I can’t wait to cook with my very own bay leaves!————————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant arrived in a timely manner, was well packed and looked healthy right out of the box. We planted it outside and seems to be doing well———————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I bought a 1 gallon pot. The plants arrived in good condition. They were each about 8 inches tall. Super healthy looking leaves and roots.—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I don’t have a question, but I do have a comment. Bravo for sending me such beautiful plants. I ordered blackberries plants and a bay leaf plant. I haven’t ever received such lovely healthy plants via mail order. Thank you with all sincerity.———————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I was impressed by the packaging for plant protection. My bay arrived in excellent condition without any signs of stress.——————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received a well rooted, healthy bay-laurel plant in a one gallon pot. The packaging was well done. Customer service is very friendly and informative. I certainly will buy again from Wilson Brothers.———————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful, healthy, happy little tree. Thank you for always sending such great plants. Packaging is tremendous!—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My bay laurel plant arrived quickly and very well packaged. Its a beautiful, healthy plant and a good sized plant. Larger than I expected. I will definitely buy from Wilson Bros again.——————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Quick order fulfillment, good communications, good packaging, nice looking plant arrived in great shape. Thanks.——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I looked around for a bay laurel and finally found one here. The plant shipped on time and was well-packaged and healthy when it arrived. It’ll be a couple of years before I feel that I can pluck leaves off for cooking but I look forward to that.————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

First time buyer and could not ask for better produce or service. Every possible care was taken to ensure I received a health plant which came quickly. Instructions were included to ensure I knew how to take care of my plant upon arrival. Will be ordering from them again for sure.—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I am more than satisfied with the plant and service from you! Your website is informative and easy to negotiate, ordering was easy, my plant arrived on time and in excellent condition. Normally I quarantine a new plant just in case there might be some “hitchhikers” on it but after inspecting it closely I determined there wasn’t any! My plant was packed perfectly, no damage to leaves or branches,, healthy and ready for its new home. Thank you for such good service.———————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

First off, I want to say how impressed I was with how this tree was packed. Wrapped well to keep all soil in pot, Pot was secured to the box for shipping to keep it stable, the box was made with small holes for good air circulation during shipping, and it arrived in a very timely manner. I haven’t transplanted it yet, just let it go outside close to where it will be throughout the summer months. This was the first living plant I have purchased online or mail order that was packed this way. I was simply delighted when it arrived.
Thank you for knowing how to pack a plant and sustaining it during transit.———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Fedex driver carefully handed it to me. It was well packaged and looking healthy. It has been about 20 days since I received it. At first nothing changed, I kept watching and finally some tiny leaves are starting to show.———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

good healthy looking plant, I’m planning to keep it potted, summer outside, winter in our solar room. Should I repot?————————————-Yes put it in a larger pot. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My Bay arrived on time and was securely packaged for transit. The leaves are glossy and healthy. I am excited to watch it grow!———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My experience with Wilson Brothers was great!! I received the plant quickly and in beautiful condition. It was very healthy, packaged securely and I couldnt be happier. I will definitely order from them again and recommend them to all my friends!!——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant was on the small size and when it was delivered some of the soil had spilled from the pot. Also, it took longer to arrive than normal because it was shipped during the holidays. After my first order of a camellia which was such a healthy plant and arrived so promptly, I was a little disappointed in the length of delivery time and the size of the plant material, but the plant is healthy and seems to be doing well enough right now.———————————————-So sorry for the delay in shipping. If you are ever unsatisfied or concerned, please contact Customer service, we can usually resolve any problems you may have…I’m glad its doing okay. Please keep us posted. Thanks so much for the review. Beth 🙂

Thank you for the care you took growing the plant and packing and processing my order. Hope you have some time to enjoy the holidays.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I was so pleased with the Bay Laurel I received recently I immediately ordered another as a gift. The plants were healthy and well packed for shipping. This was my first purchase from Wilson Bros. but it won’t be my last. Their excellent reputation is well deserved.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My baby Laurel tree arrived in perfect condition. It was beautiful. It is still beautiful and sturdy. I am satisfied. Thank you so much.—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The Bay Laurel plant I received was smaller than what I was expecting. But it was very well packed and arrived in excellent condition! Overall I am pleased with my purchase and I will continue to purchase live plants from Wilson Bros Garden.—————————————It will grow in no time. We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Arrived well packed and in great condition. Plant appears very healthy and I look forward to harvesting bay leaves for years to come.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Wonderfully green and healthy. Packaging well done. Arrived in excellent shape. Will definitely order from this company again.———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant arrived well wrapped and healthy. A bit smaller than I expected, but it is growing so fast. I’m very pleased with it.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

My bay leaf laurel arrived quickly and in excellent condition. Great value, beautiful plant.
Very pleased.———————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived very safely packaged. Seems to be doing quite well so far in the pot it needs to live in. Will need to move to greenhouse for winter.———————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Satisfied with purchase————————————————We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the review! Beth | WBG 🙂

This is my second purchase of bay laurel. The first is thriving and growing and has supplied my kitchen with bay leaves. Both arrived well packed and well established. I highly recommend.——————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Excellent———————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Arrived quickly, really nicely packed and in excellent shape. A much nicer plant than I expected!—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This plant arrived healthy and quick. Everything that I have ever ordered from you has been in just the best condition, well packaged, and grown extremely well. We use the bay for cooking and it is really nice to be able to pick it fresh.———————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Received my bay laurel that was beautifully packaged and in perfect condition! Much larger than I anticipated as well. Amazing, thank you!—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My bay laurel arrived in a couple of days and in excellent condition. I will most certainly be using WilsonBros again!———————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have recieved it in perfect condition, I am very happy with my purchase.—————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Beautiful plant arrived in great condition, well packaged, and very full. I repotted into a 12″ pot as recommended, and so far, it’s doing well. I will be moving it into a heated greenhouse for the Winter, and am hopping for this plant to thrive.—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

When visiting my son in NY, his neighbor had a Bay Laurel tree which he used for cooking! I never knew it could be a houseplant, so I looked locally and on line for a tree for my house for months. Thankfully, I found Wilson Bros and ordered one. Because my house is small, the selection of sizes was great and I was able to order one in a gallon pot. It arrived quickly and was exceptionally well-packed, with not ANY damage. Can’t wait to bring it in the house for the winter. I live on the Susquehanna River in PA in zone 6, so cannot plant some in my yard, And I definitely would purchase them from Wilson Bros! Very attractive tree!—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Very nice Bay leaf tree plant. Thriving in a pot outside until it gets too cold.——————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Beth | WBG 🙂

This plant came so well packed and hydrated. It’s growing very well. Extremely happy with my purchase with Wilson Brothers. This was the first time I ordered from them and highly recommend this nursery!———————————-Thanks for the great review! Beth | WB