Bay Leaf Plant Care

Getting Started

• Purchase a young bay tree from a nursery. Starting bay from seeds or cuttings has a low success rate, and will require up to two years for the plant to establish itself enough for you to harvest a leaf. Be sure to purchase a plant labeled Laurus nobilis, or L. nobilis, which is a true bay. Several other plants go by the common name "bay" but have different flavors, and some them are inedible.

  Bay trees are not picky about soil as long as it's well-drained. It will tolerate a range of pH levels from 4.5 to 8.3. It prefers its soil on the sandy side, so when transplanting a bay sapling, mix three parts of a soil-based compost with one part sand.

  If you live in USDA zones 7b to 11, you can plant your bay tree in the ground in full to partial sun. If you live any further north, your best option would be to plant your bay in containers and bring them indoors for the winter, or whenever the weather is below 25 degrees. It can tolerate a light frost for a short period of time, but does not fare well outdoors during long, hard winters. Bay will do fine in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights for the entire cold season if you prefer.

Basic Care

• Water bay leaf deeply, but allow the soil to almost dry out between watering sessions. Do not allow the roots to stay wet for long periods or root rot may set in. Bay is somewhat drought tolerant, but you should avoid allowing the growing medium from drying out altogether.

  Bay is not a heavy feeder, so fertilize lightly. If planted in the ground you can apply a fish emulsion in the spring and fall. In a container you can apply a liquid fertilizer every three or four months, but skip the fall feeding if you bring the plant indoors for the winter.

  Bay has shallow roots and can remain in a pot as small as 12 inches wide until it is approximately 3 feet tall. Transplant bay in the spring or fall into a slightly larger pot and it will be years before you have to worry about transplanting it again.

Pruning

• Prune your bay tree to keep it manageable, especially if you are growing it in a container. Bay can grow upward of 30 feet tall, but it grows extremely slowly. Annual pruning and regular harvesting can keep a bay tree a fairly compact shrub for as long as necessary.

  In early to mid spring, prune the tree back as severely as you feel is necessary to keep the size contained. New growth will begin to shoot out during the growing season, and for the rest of the year the tree can be pruned lightly by frequent clippings.