Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
An evergreen shrub or small tree with smooth, dark green, aromatic, leathery leaves and upright branching habit.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Moderate watering. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Reduce watering frequency during the winter months.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing to a mature height of 10 to 40 feet with a dense, pyramidal or rounded canopy and a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and allow the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Moderate watering. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Reduce watering frequency during the winter months.
Soil
Prefers rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.5 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to severe freezing temperatures.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing to a mature height of 10 to 40 feet with a dense, pyramidal or rounded canopy and a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, pale yellow-green, star-shaped flowers clustered along the stems.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by layering and seeds.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to scale insects, psyllids, and root rot if kept in excessively wet, poorly draining soil.
Similar species
Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel), which features wider, less aromatic leaves and lacks the distinct spicy scent of Laurus nobilis.