How to grow bay (Laurus nobilis)

Bay is slow-growing and, while a plant will eventually become a tree up to 8m tall, it will take many years to do this and can be clipped to keep it at the desired size. Bay trees are traditionally trained and clipped as topiary, and bring a touch of formality to the garden. Laurus nobilis is often sold as a standard lollipop tree or shaped into a cone, or with plaited or spiral stems, and can be used as an alternative to yew or box topiary – especially useful as box is now affected by box tree caterpillar and box blight. Bay grows extremely well in pots and standard plants look particularly good either side of a front door, creating a formal, year-round display.

Bay is a dioecious plant, which means it has male and female flowers on separate plants. Male and female plants are not identified in garden centres, as most gardeners grow them only for their foliage. The flowers are insignificant and the berries are inedible.

Bay laurel is sometimes confused with cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica). These evergreen shrubs are mostly used as hedging and all parts of the plants are poisonous.

How to grow bay (Laurus nobilis)

Bay is slightly tender when young and benefits from shelter and protection in winter. Grow Laurus nobilis in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, ideally near a south- or west-facing wall, which will provide additional shelter from cold winds and frost.

How to grow bay in pot
In cooler regions, consider growing in a pot which you can move indoors in autumn. Grow bay in a sheltered spot in moist but well-drained soil. Prune in summer and cut back hard to rejuvenate old plants in spring. Bay leaves can be harvested at any time of year – use immediately or dry before storing.

Growing bay: jump links

• Planting bay
• Caring for bay
• Propagating bay
• Growing bay: problem-solving
• Buying bay
• Best bay to grow

Where to grow bay

Bay hails from the Mediterranean, so does best in full sun to partial shade, ideally in a sheltered position, as it's not completely hardy when young. In exposed gardens, bay can cope with temperatures down to about -5ºC but can suffer leaf damage. This is easily solved by covering plants with garden fleece in winter or moving pot-grown bays to a more sheltered spot.

Bay tends to be hardier when planted directly into the garden, as plants can put down a more comprehensive root system. Well-drained soil is essential. If planted in the ground and left to grow unclipped, expect plants to reach a height of up to 8m.

How to plant bay

Improve garden soil before planting by digging in compost and grit, if your soil is heavy. If planting clipped standard bays as a formal statement, ensure they're standing straight before firming the soil around the root ball. Water in well and continue to water regularly for a couple of weeks after planting, to help it settle in well.

If growing in a pot, plant your bay in tree and shrub compost or in a soil-based compost, such as John Innes No. 2, with some additional grit added for drainage. Be sure to use a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom, and add crocks at the base; you could also stand the pot on pot feet.

How to care for bay (Laurus nobilis)

Laurus nobilis growing in the ground should get all the water they need from rainfall. you're growing bay trees in pots, don’t allow the compost to dry out in summer, but do allow any excess to drain away, as too much water will rot the roots. Reduce watering in winter. Feed with a liquid feed every few weeks in spring and summer. If possible, repot every two or three years – if your plant is to too big to do this, scrape away the top layer of compost and replace with fresh.

Prune bay in summer with secateurs. Old plants can be rejuvenated by cutting them back hard in late spring. It's best to do this over two years as bay can be slow to bounce back – cut half the stems back in year one and the rest in year two. Bay trees are becoming increasingly popular as topiary, due to their resilience to regular pruning. Consider buying a topiary frame if you haven't tried the technique before and prune several times over the growing season for the best results. When pruning or clipping bay, avoid using hedge shears, as half cut leaves will look unsightly.

How to propagate bay

The quickest way to propagate bay is to take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Bay can also be propagated by layering in spring, although this takes longer.

Growing bay: problem-solving

Bay is fairly trouble free. If the leaves get damaged by frost or wind (which will turn them brown or black), pick them off or trim plants in late spring or summer to encourage new growth.

Yellow leaves can be a problem on bay trees. In our Quick Tips video Emma Crawforth, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, explains why bay trees may develop yellow leaves, and how to remedy the problem.

Discoloured, distorted foliage could be caused by bay leaf suckers. The sap-feeding insects attack young bay foliage. Minor attacks can be tackled by promptly removing all affected leaves.

Bay varieties to try

• Laurus nobilis – aromatic dark green leaves. Once mature plants can reach up to 8m x 8m but this will take many years
• Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’ – lime green/yellow foliage. Insignificant flowers in spring. Slightly smaller than Laurus nobilis when mature