Bay laurel is a beautiful evergreen tree. The bay tree is slow to grow, so it is often kept as a decorative plant, especially in the form of trimmed shapes. Bay laurels work extremely well for topiary use!
Who would have guessed that the elliptical-shaped leaves of this tree are dried and used as wraps for licorice? The items are then shipped across the world. The bay leaf is also used in China to offer a faint aromatic note to the rice when it is being packaged.
All About Bay Laurel
Bay laurel goes by the botanical name Laurus nobilis. The dish originates in the Mediterranean, but has gained popularity around the world. The spice bay leaf comes from the Laurus nobilis plant. The Laurus nobilis tree goes by many other names, some of which include sweet bay, bay laurel, true laurel, Grecian laurel, and laurel.
The bay tree is an evergreen that has smooth, hairless leaves. It belongs to the flowering plant family of Lauraceae. It remains small in size if grown in a container. It is typically less than 6 feet tall. The tree often grows to 20 feet tall when planted in the ground.
The leaves are dark green and glossy with an oval shape. The smooth leathery texture and thickness makes them easy to hold. Aside from its use as a herb, the bay leaf tree also grows gorgeous yellowish-green blooms in spring. Laurus nobilis is not self-pollinating because it is dioecious. In order to produce fruits and vegetables, you will need both a male and female plant.
The tree can be used for decoration or to provide shade. Bay laurels are often used to create aesthetically pleasing topiary in the form of tall stems, with box-shaped, ball-shaped, or twisted crowns. A lollipop bay is a type of window that is especially popular. It is characterized by its round top, which resembles a lollipop. However, if left to grow naturally, it will mature into a full-sized tree.
Types of Bay Laurel
It is important to grow Laurus nobilis plants if you want to use the leaves for cooking.
The following are some of the better cultivars of true bay laurel.
- Laurus nobilis f. angustifolia: Also known as willow-leaf laurel, the narrow leaves of this cultivar are prized for their attractive texture when the tree is pruned.
- Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’: This variety exhibits new leaves that are bright yellow and aromatic.
- Laurus nobilis ‘Undulata’: With this cultivar, the leaf edges are rippled or wavy, making it a particularly ornamental tree.
- Laurus nobilis ‘Saratoga’: This is a smaller tree when planted in the landscape, growing to a maximum of 25 feet. The leaves are more rounded and lighter in color. It makes a good variety for food seasoning leaves.
Planting Bay Laurel
You can grow bay laurel in the southern United States. This plant does best in warmer regions with a Mediterranean climate. It does not do well in colder areas.
When To Plant
The best time to plant bare-root trees in the United States is in the very late winter or early spring, depending on which region you are in. Since the bay prefers warmer climates, gardeners who live in areas that get hard freezes should plant it in containers indoors. You need to plant your tree when it’s not actively growing, before it starts to produce new growth. This yields the highest probability for it to acclimate to its new surroundings.
Where To Plant
Young trees are often blown over by the wind, whether it is hot or cold outside. Choose a spot for your tree that has a windbreak to protect it from strong winds!
Choose a spot for your tree that gets full sun all year long. They will do best with at least eight hours of sunlight.
You can control the climate that your plants are exposed to by growing them in containers and moving them indoors or outdoors. It is essential for them to get their daily dose of sunlight, so if they are indoors, make sure they are in a location where there is a window. Instead of using a grow light, you can provide them with supplemental lighting. Pick a pot that is the right size for the tree and its age. Keep it away from drafty areas or heating vents.
How To Plant
Your plant will either be potless, or in a pot. Note the depth of planting by the location of the bag tie around the trunk for bare-root trees. Do not plant potted trees any deeper than they were planted in the pot.
To prepare the ground for planting a tree, loosen and improve the quality of the soil where the tree will be located. It’s important that the soil has good drainage, so soils that become hard and less permeable may need soil conditioners to improve drainage. For a year-old sapling, loosen an area that’s at least 3 feet in diameter and at least 2-3 feet deep. This will give the roots room to grow and establish themselves.
Once your soil is loose and amended with compost or other soil conditioners, build a small mound of soil in the center of the hole. Place the tree on top of the mound so the roots are evenly spread out. Backfill with amended soil.
A plant that is grown in a container will need a pot that is the same size as the plant’s age. A very young plant can survive in a 5-gallon pot for the first 6 months, but yearling or older plants need a much larger pot.
Bay Laurel Care
Bay laurel can be used as a screen or hedge plant, as long as there is another windbreak nearby. It can also be a great container-grown topiary plant. But how do you care for it? Let’s discuss that.
Light
You should keep your bay tree near a sunny window if you grow it indoors. It is best to avoid exposure to drafts as well as heat from appliances and heating and air conditioning ducts. Outdoor plants prefer environment with both sun and shade, but can survive in full sunlight if necessary. In areas with hot, dry summers, it is ideal to have some afternoon shade.
This tree will produce the best-flavored leaves if it receives full sun for at least a portion of the year.
Soil
This tree will do best in garden soil that is a mixture of sand, clay and loam. The soil must also drain well. This plant is not picky about the soil it grows in, it does well in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Container plants can thrive in an everyday potting mix from a commercial nursery.
Water
The roots of bay laurel are shallow, so it might need to be watered more often during dry periods. Water the plant enough to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater as this could cause the plant to rot. Water your plant regularly, making sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
Temperature and Humidity
The bay laurel is a hardy plant that can survive in harsh conditions. It can withstand cold temperatures and extend its lifespan in areas with harsh weather conditions. Bring your plant indoors for the winter if you live in a cooler area and give it bright but relatively cool conditions. However, you might have trouble keeping your indoor bay tree from drying out if the humidity in your home is low. If your tree starts to signal trouble by drop a few leaves, you can use those leaves in cooking and begin regularly misting the tree. You might want to think about getting a room humidifier to help raise the humidity in your house.
Fertilizer
Bay laurel is a slow-growing plant and doesn’t need a lot of food to grow when it is outdoors in the landscape. Plants grown in containers, however, need supplemental fertilizer. To feed a bay plant that is grown in a container, use a balanced organic fertilizer in the spring. An example of a balanced organic fertilizer is fish emulsion and kelp. To keep your lawn healthy, it is important to refresh the top layer of soil each spring. This will help new growth and avoid damaging the shallow roots.
Pruning
If bay trees are not pruned, they can grow up to 60 feet tall. Trees that are grown in containers or regularly pruned will not grow as tall as those that are not. To make your potted bay tree easy to move, trim it so it is a manageable size and shape. You should prune your tree when it is not actively growing, like in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning a tree can create different results depending on how much is done. A small amount will keep the tree small, while a larger amount can create a topiary. Pruning a bay laurel is not complicated as the plant will grow new branches densely from the spot where you cut the old ones. The goal of this technique is to be able to control the size and shape of the object you are sculpting.
Propagating Bay Laurel
To propagate bay laurel, take softwood cuttings and root them. Bay laurel is a slow-growing plant, so be patient. Here’s how to do it:
- In summer, use sterile pruners to take 6-inch cuttings from green, pliable branches.
- Fill small pots with coarse, moist sand, then dip the tip of each cutting into rooting hormone, then plant it in its container.
- Cover the containers loosely with plastic bags, securing the bags with rubber bands.
- Place the containers in a warm location where they receive bright indirect light. It can sometimes help to place the containers on a heating mat as they root.
- Within a month or two, the cuttings should develop roots, which you can identify because you’ll feel resistance when tugging on the cuttings. At this point, the plastic bags can be removed and you can continue growing the cutting until it’s large enough for a permanent pot or an outdoor garden location.
Growing Problems
Over-watering can easily cause root rot. If the leaves of a plant turn yellow or brown, the tips get crispy, and it stops producing new foliage, this may be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water. To avoid root rot, it is important to have a good treatment for it. Be sure your soil drains off excess moisture well. If you’re unsure if it’s a good time to water your plants, it’s better to give them less water than more. It will perform just fine in somewhat dry conditions.
Common Pests and Diseases
For the most part, the bay laurel is pest-free. Not only does this plant look great, but its leaves can also be used to keep bugs away from other plants and in kitchen pantries.
Moths may lay their eggs between two leaves and connect them using a cottony substance. This can sometimes cause problems with scale. If you come across two leaves that are stuck together, carefully peel them apart and remove any eggs or larvae you find. Other common indoor pests that can affect bay laurel plants are mealybugs and spider mites. The best way to treat them is with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
These plants have some susceptibility to fungal diseases:
- Anthracnose causes the tips of the leaves to turn brown or black, then gradually die. Remove affected leaves with sterilized pruners, and treat the soil with a fungicide (anthracnose is an internal infection). Severely infected plants will need to be destroyed.
- Powdery mildew creates a whitish residue on the leaves of the plant.6 Treat the plant with neem oil or another horticultural oil. Improving air circulation and keeping soil surfaces clean often prevent the disease. Replacing the top 2 inches of potting soil each year will prevent the fungal spores from persisting.
- Phytophthora root rot is a known problem for bay laurel plants. It is a fungus-like organism that can cause the slow, gradual collapse of the plant. Early symptoms include the appearance of dark, gummy streaks on the bark, usually low on the stems. Fungicides may help control the disease, along with regular replacement of the top few inches of potting soil.
But what of the harvest? What are some methods you use to collect and store your sweet bay leaves?
Harvesting
Although you may be able to harvest earlier, it is advisable to wait until your bay tree is 2 years old before proceeding with the harvest. Give your plant plenty of time to grow and develop before you start taking its leaves.
Choose either individual leaves or small clusters of leaves, and cut them off using a pair of clean shears. Choose older leaves over younger ones, as they will be more flavorful.
Storing
To keep your bay leaves fresh, store them in a paper towel inside a plastic zipper bag in the refrigerator. It should be usable for up to two weeks.
To dry your leaves, you can either allow them to air dry in a cool and dry place, or use a dehydrator at its lowest heat setting.
A bay leaf tree can be a wonderful addition to your landscaping, whether it is container-grown or in the ground. Additionally, the leaves can be used for their culinary herb flavor. What’s not to love?
Leave a Reply