Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis
Herbs & Spices Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
Evergreen aromatic shrub or small tree whose leaves are a classic culinary herb. Used in soups, stews, and braises; leaves are typically removed before serving.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hrs)
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Water
Every 1-2 weeks
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Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-28°C
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Soil
Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral loam (pH 6.0-7.0)
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Fertilizer
Light balanced fertilizer in spring; compost top-dress annually
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mediterranean region
- 📏 Max height
- 3-12 meters (10-40 feet) in ground; 1-2m (3-6 feet) in containers
- 📐 Spread
- 90-150 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellow-Green
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Leaves are edible when used in cooking. Mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in large quantities — can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- 🌱 Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer; seed (slow germination); air-layering
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Leaves are edible when used in cooking. Mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in large quantities — can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Common issues
- Scale insects on leaves, Leaf spot fungi, Root rot from overwatering, Yellowing from nutrient deficiency
💡 Care tips
- Dried bay leaves are essential for soups and stews,Slow-growing evergreen that can live for decades,Grows well as a container plant indoors or out,Prune regularly to maintain a compact bushy shape
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
