Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
An evergreen shrub or small tree with dark green, alternate, simple leaves that are smooth-margined and aromatic when crushed.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of bright light daily.
- Water
- Water thoroughly when the top two inches of soil feel dry. Drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged soil.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree or large shrub with an upright, dense growth habit, reaching heights of 20 to 40 feet in optimal conditions but easily kept smaller through pruning.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Feed during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of bright light daily.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top two inches of soil feel dry. Drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged soil.
Soil
Prefers rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, requiring winter protection in colder climates.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree or large shrub with an upright, dense growth habit, reaching heights of 20 to 40 feet in optimal conditions but easily kept smaller through pruning.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, pale yellow-green clustered flowers followed by small black berries.
Propagation
Propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by seed.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to scale insects, psyllids, and root rot if drainage is poor.
Similar species
California Bay (Umbellularia californica), which has a stronger scent and narrower leaves, and Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), which has alternate leaves but lacks the specific aromatic compound profile of Laurus nobilis.