Bay leaf plants are a must-have for any home chef or gardener. The aromatic bay leaf is a versatile herb used to impart fragrance and flavor to soups, stews, marinades, and more. While dried bay leaves can be purchased, growing your own bay leaf plant provides very fresh leaves and satisfaction. But where can you find bay plants to grow in your local area?
An Overview of Bay Leaf Plants
Bay leaf refers to the aromatic leaves of the Laurus nobilis tree, an evergreen shrub or small tree in the laurel family It is also called sweet bay, Grecian laurel, or true laurel. Bay trees can grow quite large, up to 10-20 feet tall in warm climates But container-grown bay laurels meant for herb gardens remain a more manageable 6-10 feet.
Bay laurel is native to the Mediterranean region The leaves are dark green, 2-4 inches long They grow in pairs along the stem and feature a spicy, herbal scent. When used in cooking, bay leaves impart a subtle flavor reminiscent of eucalyptus, clove, and lemon. Just a few leaves simmered in soups or stews provide incredible flavor.
Where to Find Bay Leaf Plants Locally
You have a few options for sourcing bay leaf plants in your area:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Many independent nurseries and garden stores carry a selection of herb plants, including potted bay laurel trees. Visit your local nurseries to check out their offerings. Let them know you are looking for bay leaf plants to purchase.
Big Box Stores
Home improvement and garden stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart often stock bay trees especially in spring and summer. Check their garden center herb sections.
Online Nurseries
Reputable online nurseries ship live potted bay plants nationwide. Order plants online to be delivered locally for planting. Make sure to order far enough ahead of your region’s final frost date.
Farmer’s Markets
Ask vendors at local farmer’s markets if they grow and sell bay leaf plants. Markets are great for finding organically grown, local herbs.
Local Plant Swaps
Join community plant swaps and exchanges to get free cuttings or divisions of bay trees from local gardeners who already grow them.
Neighbors and Friends
Talk to other gardeners in your neighborhood or community groups. Network to find out if anyone has an established bay tree they can share cuttings from.
Growing Bay Laurel Successfully
Once you source your bay laurel plant, follow these tips for successfully growing it:
Sun and Temperature
Bay trees thrive in full sun and warm temperatures between 70-80°F. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Bring potted bay trees indoors if temperatures drop below 30°F.
Planting
If planting a potted bay tree into a garden bed, amend the soil with compost to improve drainage. Or plant in a large container with drainage holes using potting mix.
Water
Keep soil moist but not saturated. Water whenever the top few inches become dry. Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. Reduce watering in winter.
Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Discontinue feeding by September.
Pruning
Trim back leggy growth or shape overgrown plants after harvesting leaves. Never prune more than 1/3 of the plant at one time.
Harvesting
Harvest whole leaves as needed once plants are established. Choose healthy, vibrant leaves and avoid yellow or brown ones.
Overwintering
In cold climates, move containers to a protected area or indoors before first frost. Prune back branches if overgrown. Limit watering until spring.
Enjoy an Abundant Bay Leaf Harvest
With proper care, a homegrown bay leaf plant can provide abundant leaves for 5 years or longer. The aromatic flavor of freshly harvested bay leaves is far superior to dried ones. Grow your own bay laurel plant to have a ready supply of this versatile, Mediterranean herb.
Full Planting & Care Instructions
1. Planting: When you plant your Bay Laurel, look for a spot that gets full to partial sun (4 to 8 hours of sunlight per day). This tree can adapt to a wide variety of soil type as long as it drains well. Prepare a hole three times the width of the root ball and a little less deep than the root ball when you’re ready to plant.
Hold the tree straight as you begin to backfill the site tamping down the soil as you go. Back fill the hole, apply water to settle the soil and remove the air pockets.
When you buy a container for your bay laurel, make sure the bottom has a lot of holes in it so water can drain. The pot size should be 2 times the size of the one it initially came in.
2. To water, put your finger into the potting soil about 2 inches deep and feel for any wet spots. If the soil is getting dry, water it until you see water draining out of the holes, then stop. Do this until the soil around your ground-planted Bay Laurels is moist. If there is some moisture present, leave it be until the soil dries a bit more.
3. Fertilizing: Considering the Bay Laurel is slow growing, it doesn’t require a great deal of food. However, container plants needs to be fed in spring and maybe again in mid-summer. When fertilizing, a general purpose fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 formula) is sufficient.
4. Pruning: Bay laurel should be pruned with shears in late winter to get the size and shape you want. This means cutting off any dead or crossing branches and stems. What does a laurel tree mean? Laurel trees have different meanings depending on culture and beliefs, but most of them have to do with success, fame, and wealth. One common example is the laurel wreath, which is worn as a crown and given to Olympic athletes for their great performance in sports. Where can you find laurel trees? Bay laurels grow best in warm climates like the Mediterranean or Zones 8–10. If you plant a bay laurel in a pot, it can stay small, about 8 feet tall, as a shrub or tree. But if you put it in the ground, it can get very big, about 60 feet tall. Do Bay Laurels like full sun? Yes, they do. They do best with at least six to eight hours of sun a day.
Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, youll receive an email with a tracking number.
| Amount of Order | Shipping Charge |
|---|---|
| Less than $ 99 | $19.95 |
| $ 99 + | FREE SHIPPING! |
| Mature Height : | 10-15 ft. |
| Mature Width : | 8-10 ft. |
| Sunlight : | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
| Growth Rate : | Slow Growing |
| Harvest Time : | Year-round |
| Botanical Name : | Laurus nobilis |
| Does Not Ship To : | AZ, OR |
| Grows Well In Zones : | 3-11 patio / 8-11 outdoors |
Effortless Cooking and Fragrance
Why Bay Laurels?
An outstanding, fragrant tree that wows – the Bay Laurel is second to none. The Sweet Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Tree can be used as a plant cover or as a spice in your kitchen. This versatile, amazing little variety has an array of uses and can even be trained as a topiary.
Even better? The Bay Laurel thrives in a container, too. Basically, this hardy evergreen shrub has the strength to match its good looks. It also has a unique, refreshing scent and dark, glossy leaves that will make your porch, patio, balcony, or garden more interesting. During the summer months, it produces small black fruit that attracts birds for a show of graceful wildlife.
Its probably best known, however, as a favorite spice. Chances are that you have a spaghetti recipe that includes bay leaves. Bay Laurel leaves, whether they are fresh or dried, can be used as a spice in cooking. They are often added to dishes from the Mediterranean, like soups, stews, and fish dishes. Their mild flavor makes vegetables, meat, and poultry taste better, and the flavor of dried leaves lasts for months.
Why Fast-Growing-Trees.com is Better
The best part is that we’ve grown and planted our Bay Laurels here at our nursery from the start. That means you get proven performance in ease once your plant arrives to your door.
You get home-grown fragrance, greenery and more from our Bay Laurels. you wont find this combination in a big box store.
Is there anything the amazing Bay Laurel cant do? Order yours today!
How To Propagate Bay Leaf From Cuttings | Laurus Nobilis | Bay Laurel
FAQ
Does bay leaf come back every year?
Can I grow my own bay leaves?
Where is the best place to grow bay leaves?
What is the best bay leaf plant for cooking?
Are bay leaves included in a pot?
Pots or accessories are not included unless specified in the product options. Cooks are familiar with bay leaves as a source of flavor in soups, stews, and sauces, but the trees that produce them, bay laurels (latin name: Laurus nobilis, family: Lauraceae), are also noted for their ornamental qualities.
What is a bay laurel plant?
A bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), the tree that produces these herbs, makes a wonderful addition to most indoor and outdoor garden setups. Here’s what you need to know about growing and caring for a bay leaf plant, a culinary garden staple.
What do bay leaves taste like?
Delicious, fragrant bay leaves come from the bay laurel, a perennial shrub or tree with pale yellow flowers and black fruit, attractive olive-to-reddish bark, and dark leathery leaves. Bay leaves are incredibly versatile. The herb’s flavor complements rice dishes, soups and stews, Catalan and Greek recipes, and Creole cuisine.
What are bay leaves used for?
Cooking is the most common use for bay leaves. Adding bay leaves to soups, stews, broths, sauces, and casseroles can give those dishes a subtle bitter or minty flavor that keeps them from being too heavy. Bay leaves can also be used in medicines and essential oils.
What trees grow well with California bay laurel?
The California Bay Laurel grows well in a wide range of ecologies, including Redwood forests, mixed evergreen forests, pine forests, and oak savannas. They will grow well as an understory plant with the Oregon White Oak, the California Black Oak, and the California Foothill Pine.