Laurus nobilis

Bay in the Mediterranean

Laurus nobilis is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree. Bay has been grown around the Mediterranean for centuries, and its aromatic leaves have a long history of use in cooking.

How to grow bay

• Light: Give full sun or bright partial shade. A bright position supports dense, sturdy growth.
• Position: Choose a sheltered outdoor spot with good air movement. A wall, balcony corner or courtyard can protect the leaves from drying cold winds.
• Watering: Water thoroughly, then let the upper part of the compost dry slightly before watering again. Empty standing water from saucers and decorative outer pots.
• Potting mix: Use a soil-based, peat-free potting compost with coarse grit to help excess water drain.
• Temperature: Established bay tolerates cool conditions. Container roots feel the cold sooner, so protect the pot and young growth during prolonged hard frost.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser about every two weeks while the plant is producing new growth, following the product label.
• Pruning: Clip new shoots to maintain the desired shape and remove damaged growth with clean tools. Bay branches readily after pruning.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size when roots fill the container, the pot starts drying out very quickly, or little fresh compost remains around the root ball.

Common bay problems

• Leaves yellow while the compost stays wet, or roots become dark and soft: The compost is staying too wet. Let excess water drain and check the container drainage. If roots are rotten, unpot the plant, use a clean disinfected tool to cut rotten roots back to firm healthy tissue, discard the rotten material and repot into fresh free-draining compost.
• Leaf edges or whole leaves turn brown after cold or dry weather: Cold wind, frost or a dry root ball can damage bay leaves. Move the container to a sheltered position, return to regular watering and remove leaves that are completely dead.
• Brown or black spots appear on the leaves: Check whether the compost has stayed waterlogged or has become old and compacted; prolonged wet weather can also contribute. Let excess water drain, replace old, compacted compost when needed, remove badly affected leaves and keep good air movement around the plant.
• Young leaves curl and thicken at the edges: Bay sucker can cause this distortion and leave pale waxy material under curled edges. The plant usually stays healthy, so light damage can be left alone. Remove distorted leaves only if they are badly affected.
• Brown or pale scale-like bumps appear on stems or leaf undersides: Scale insects may be feeding on the plant. Check stems and both sides of the leaves and remove small colonies by hand. If scale keeps returning, use a product labelled for scale and follow the label, including any repeat treatments.

Laurus nobilis is toxic to cats and dogs

• Keep the leaves away from cats and dogs that may chew them.
• Their aromatic oils, including eugenol, can irritate a pet’s digestive tract, and a whole leaf may cause an obstruction.
• Contact a veterinarian if any part is swallowed or if vomiting, stomach pain or weakness develops.

Why is it called Laurus nobilis?

Laurus is the classical Latin name for laurel. The Latin epithet nobilis means noble, notable or renowned.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Laurus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 369.