How to Grow a Bay Leaf Tree

Bay leaf trees are beautiful, and invaluable to many a cook.

Bay leaf trees for culinary use, also known by the name Laurus nobilus, are members of the laurel family. When left to grow untrained outdoors, they can grow 30 feet or more in height, with a canopy nearly as wide. Luckily for herb gardeners, they accept training and pruning very well, and are often grown in containers as houseplants. Leaves cannot be harvested until trees are a couple years old. Trees live very long lives, with very little special care required.

Things You'll Need

• Laurus nobilus seedling
• Potting soil
• Large pot
• Moisture meter
• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Choose a potting soil that is well-drained. Soilless potting mixes are good options, consisting largely of peat moss, vermiculite and compost.

2. Pay for a larger Laurus nobilus seedling if you want to harvest it sooner. Laurus nobilus seedlings are sold in various heights. The bigger the seedling, the higher the price. Since bay leaf trees grow slowly, invest in a larger one if you want to cook with it quickly.

3. Plant the seedling in a pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Make sure to cover the entire root ball with potting soil, so that there are no air pockets. Place in a window that gets full sun to partial shade.

4. Insert a moisture meter into the soil alongside the tree. Moisture meters monitor a soil's wetness and give you a nearly foolproof way to avoid over- or under-watering your tree. Water whenever the moisture meter informs you that your tree needs it.

5. Apply an all-purpose fertilizer in the spring, when your bay leaf tree comes out of dormancy. Never apply during the winter.

6. Prune your bay leaf tree twice yearly. Prune in spring, after the first growth spurt has occurred. Prune again in the fall after the flowers have dropped off. Bay leaf trees can take any shape that you prefer, from popular lollipop topiary to simple miniature tree.

Tips & Warnings

• If growing for culinary use, choose only Laurus nobilus. Other bay leaf trees are beautiful, but not edible. Some are even poisonous when ingested.

• Fresh bay leaves for cooking use must be dried before using. Pick the largest leaves from the tree after it is a few years old. These will have the strongest flavor. Allow them to dry for 24 to 48 hours before using. Set them on a small screen or a paper towel to rest while they are drying.

References

• Old Fashioned Living: Growing and Using Bay Leaf
• The Herb Gardener: Growing Bay Leaf
• ArcaMax: Q&A: Bay Tree Care