Bay Laurel (Sweet Bay) – Laurus Nobilis – 3 Gallon Pot

Other Names: Sweet Bay

Most known for its flavorful and aromatic leaves that are used to add earthy flavor to stews, soups and sauces and for potpourri, the Bay Laurel, also known as Sweet Bay, is an exceptionally versatile ornamental evergreen tree from the Mediterranean. It can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 8a-11 or indoors as a year round house plant! Though it can slowly grow to 30 feet tall or more in height (when growing outdoors in the ground) and up to 20 feet wide, it responds very well to pruning so can easily be maintained at a height of 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide or so. Plants growing indoors or outdoors in pots can be kept even smaller.

The thick and leathery shiny dark green leaves are densely packed on the branches which make the Bay Laurel a perfect choice as an aromatic screen plant outdoors. Small yellowish flowers appear March to May and stand out quite well against the dark leaves. As your Bay Tree grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive evergreen tree. Because it responds so well to pruning it’s a fine candidate for various topiary shapes including cones, columns, pompom, poodle tier and standards.

Plant in a pot at least 12 inches in rim diameter (larger is better for long term). Use potting mix or quality potting soil to fill the pot within 1 inch of the top. Lining the bottom of the pot with a landscape fabric is suggested to keep the drainage hole from becoming stopped up by roots. Keep pot situated near a sunny window and away from heating and air vents.