Lauraceae
Laurus nobilis
Bring the classic flavor of bay leaves to your home with a live Bay Laurel. This evergreen shrub stays attractive all year, thrives in a pot on a bright balcony or sunny corner, and can be neatly pruned into a dense, elegant shape. Harvest a few mature leaves whenever you cook, then let the plant keep growing—beautiful, useful, and long-lived in one.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Bay Laurel
Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0121
Alternative Names:
ورق غار
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Laurus
Species: Laurus nobilis
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Widely introduced and cultivated in temperate regions worldwide as an ornamental and culinary plant.
4. Visual Characteristics
Leaves: Evergreen, glossy dark green, lanceolate, 6–12 cm long; aromatic.
Flowers: Small, yellow-green, in umbels during spring.
Fruit: Elliptical black/dark purple drupe ~1 cm long, maturing in autumn.
Bark/Stems: Smooth grey bark; stems woody and branching.
Habit: Dense, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a rounded crown.
5. Size & Dimensions
Height: 3–10 m outdoors; typically 1–2 m when container-grown.
Spread: 2–4 m naturally; can be pruned to maintain compact shape.
Leaf Size: 6–12 cm long, 2–3 cm wide.
Flower Size: Approximately 3–5 mm diameter.
6. Light Requirements
Prefers full sun (6+ hours) to partial shade. In very hot climates, afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch.
7. Watering Needs
Moderate; water thoroughly when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Tolerates short dry periods once established but avoid prolonged drought or water saturation.
8. Soil & Potting
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic matter. Ideal pH 6.0–7.5. Container mix: high-quality potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Hardy in USDA zones 8–10. Optimal 15–24 °C. Min. tolerance down to around −5 °C briefly; protect from frost. Average indoor humidity is adequate.
10. Fertilization
Feed with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 NPK) every 4–6 weeks during active growth (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in autumn and winter.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low to moderate. Prune regularly to shape, remove dead or crossing branches, and encourage bushier growth. Thin interior branches for airflow.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer using rooting hormone; layering; or seed following 4–6 weeks cold stratification. Cuttings root in 4–8 weeks; seeds germinate slowly.
13. Common Problems
Pests: Scale insects, aphids, mealybugs.
Diseases: Root rot from waterlogging; leaf spot and powdery mildew in high humidity. Symptoms: yellowing leaves, wilting, sticky honeydew.
14. Benefits & Uses
Culinary: Fresh or dried bay leaves for flavoring soups, stews, sauces. Ornamental: Hedge, topiary, container specimen. Medicinal/traditional: Digestive aid, anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oil production.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Leaves are safe for culinary use by humans; pets may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Always remove whole bay leaves before serving to avoid choking.
Laurus nobilis
Bring the classic flavor of bay leaves to your home with a live Bay Laurel. This evergreen shrub stays attractive all year, thrives in a pot on a bright balcony or sunny corner, and can be neatly pruned into a dense, elegant shape. Harvest a few mature leaves whenever you cook, then let the plant keep growing—beautiful, useful, and long-lived in one.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Bay Laurel
Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0121
Alternative Names:
ورق غار
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Laurus
Species: Laurus nobilis
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Widely introduced and cultivated in temperate regions worldwide as an ornamental and culinary plant.
4. Visual Characteristics
Leaves: Evergreen, glossy dark green, lanceolate, 6–12 cm long; aromatic.
Flowers: Small, yellow-green, in umbels during spring.
Fruit: Elliptical black/dark purple drupe ~1 cm long, maturing in autumn.
Bark/Stems: Smooth grey bark; stems woody and branching.
Habit: Dense, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a rounded crown.
5. Size & Dimensions
Height: 3–10 m outdoors; typically 1–2 m when container-grown.
Spread: 2–4 m naturally; can be pruned to maintain compact shape.
Leaf Size: 6–12 cm long, 2–3 cm wide.
Flower Size: Approximately 3–5 mm diameter.
6. Light Requirements
Prefers full sun (6+ hours) to partial shade. In very hot climates, afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch.
7. Watering Needs
Moderate; water thoroughly when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Tolerates short dry periods once established but avoid prolonged drought or water saturation.
8. Soil & Potting
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic matter. Ideal pH 6.0–7.5. Container mix: high-quality potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Hardy in USDA zones 8–10. Optimal 15–24 °C. Min. tolerance down to around −5 °C briefly; protect from frost. Average indoor humidity is adequate.
10. Fertilization
Feed with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 NPK) every 4–6 weeks during active growth (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in autumn and winter.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low to moderate. Prune regularly to shape, remove dead or crossing branches, and encourage bushier growth. Thin interior branches for airflow.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer using rooting hormone; layering; or seed following 4–6 weeks cold stratification. Cuttings root in 4–8 weeks; seeds germinate slowly.
13. Common Problems
Pests: Scale insects, aphids, mealybugs.
Diseases: Root rot from waterlogging; leaf spot and powdery mildew in high humidity. Symptoms: yellowing leaves, wilting, sticky honeydew.
14. Benefits & Uses
Culinary: Fresh or dried bay leaves for flavoring soups, stews, sauces. Ornamental: Hedge, topiary, container specimen. Medicinal/traditional: Digestive aid, anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oil production.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Leaves are safe for culinary use by humans; pets may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Always remove whole bay leaves before serving to avoid choking.