Bay Laurel : Bay Laurel

Aromatic shrub or tree with flavorful leaves used as a culinary spice

Bay Laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree with highly aromatic leaves cultivated for its use as a culinary spice. The leaves are commonly placed in a Bouquet Garni which is essentially a little bundle of culinary herbs used for cooking. They are also popular in Bloody Mary's and will enhance the flavor or soups, stews and sauces. The leaves are especially popular in French, Italian, Spanish and Creole cuisine. The plant has several medicinal uses and is known as a good cleanser. Its a perennial in zones 8 and up and is often grown in a container in zones 7 and down.

Lauraceae Laurus nobilis

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Bay Laurel: Bay Laurel

Bay Laurel

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Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Half Hardy

Bay Laurel is a half-hardy perennial in zones 8 and up and is often grown in a container in zones 7 and down. Its hardy down to around 23˚ F.
Crops: Spring Transplant
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot

Bay Laurel will thrive in full sun or partial shade in a variety of different soils, as long as they drain well. It doesn't like chilly wind and benefits from being planted near a wall or hedge that can protect the plants.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F

Wait until the soil is at least 60˚ F before planting outdoors.
Start Indoors: No
Start Outdoors: No
Light: Part shade (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot)

Bay Laurel will grow well in partial shade or in full sun.
Water: Low

Bay Laurel is fairly drought tolerant but will benefit from moderate water when young and after transplanting. If it's a container you can kill the plant by lack of watering, so water more regularly.
Feeder: Moderate

Bay Laurel isn't a heavy feeder, but will grow larger if provided with more nutrients. However, if allowed to become very large it will feed heavily on your garden's nutrients nearby so many gardeners prefer to keep the plant smaller.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates light frost, High heat, Partial shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

Container grown plants need to be fertilized every several weeks from mid-spring to late summer. Plants will eventually start to outgrow their containers, and will likely need to be replanted every couple years into larger containers.

Keep well-pruned so that the plant doesn't outgrow its pot too fast. Bay Laurel is fairly drought tolerant in the garden but in containers the soil should never be allowed to completely dry. Use containers and soil with adequate drainage.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Green
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 24.0 - 200.0"
Plant Diameter: 24.0 - 72.0"
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Adds a savory taste to sauces, soups, meats and more. More pungent when used fresh, but not as sweet as when dried. Best used right after drying.
Rotation Group: Perennial

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Bay Laurel : Bay Laurel

Aromatic shrub or tree with flavorful leaves used as a culinary spice

Bay Laurel

Basics