Bay tree / Bay laurel

Plant family

Lorbeergewächse (Lauraceae)

Also known as

Sweet Bay, True Laurel, Grecian Laurel

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Plant distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Description

Laurel is part of the laurel family (Lauraceae). Laurel grows conical and can reach 10 m wide and 12 m high. Belongs to the preparation of sauerkraut and red cabbage. In ancient Rome, laurel wreaths were popular and a sign of prestige. Good for seasoning when cooking or drying and as a medicinal, but can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Dioecious plant. The white flowers can be seen on the laurel between March and May. The fruits are monocarpic and shiny blue-black.

Growing tips

Bay laurel needs a lot of warmth and is sensitive to cold, which is why we recommend growing it in a pot, as it is often too cold outdoors in winter. Propagation via seeds or cuttings is not entirely uncomplicated and seeds are only available from female laurel plants. For cuttings, cut off 20 cm long shoots in August or September. Prune the bay laurel in March. Harvest the leaves in fall or spring and not in summer when the bay laurel is growing strongly.