Bay Laurel Growing Guide
Bay Laurel is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -7°C
Plant Family
Lauraceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Pick up a young potted bay — it's an evergreen you'll keep for years, so one plant is plenty. Grow it in a large pot you can move indoors in cold zones.
Cuttings root slowly and unevenly over many months, and seed is even slower. For most growers, buying a small plant is far and away the easiest route.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
—
Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Bay Laurel?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Bay Laurel Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Bay Laurel's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
100 cm
Plant Spacing
150 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Bay is a slow, long-lived evergreen that does brilliantly in a pot.
- 2Give it full sun and good drainage, don't overwater, and move it to a bright, frost-free place over winter in any zone below about 8.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
200 cm
Mature Height
120 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Pick leaves anytime once established; older leaves have the strongest flavour
How to Harvest
- 1Snip mature leaves as you need them — they're actually more flavourful dried than fresh.
- 2Take only a few from each branch so the plant keeps its shape.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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