Bay laurel Laurus nobilis
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Lauraceae family, native to Mediterranean basin. It grows 2.5–8 m (8.2–26 ft) tall and 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Bay laurel in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bay laurel at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Mature height | 2.5–8 m (8.2–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (as flavouring, removed before eating) |
| Native to | Mediterranean basin |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇹 Portugal |
Is Bay laurel toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, berries, essential oil
ASPCA lists laurel as toxic to pets (essential oils and alkaloids); whole dried leaves are a choking and gut hazard if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bay laurel
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Avocado: Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola), carried by redbay ambrosia beetles, kills avocado and wild laurels such as redbay and sassafras in the south-eastern US. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Phytophthora ramorum: Sudden oak death pathogen; rhododendron, viburnum, camellia and pieris spread it to oaks and larch. Evidence B
See Bay laurel in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (1 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (4 plants)
Questions about Bay laurel
- How far apart should I plant Bay laurel?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft).
- Does Bay laurel need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bay laurel need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bay laurel?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Bay laurel flower?
- From about April for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bay laurel poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. ASPCA lists laurel as toxic to pets (essential oils and alkaloids); whole dried leaves are a choking and gut hazard if eaten.
- What grows well with Bay laurel?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bay laurel. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- UC IPM degree-day models and pest notes, University of California
Notes and assumptions
- Dioecious; berries form only if male and female plants are near each other. Often clipped as a standard or hedge. Hardy to about -12 C once established; young plants need frost protection.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Avocado Persea americana
- Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
- Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
- Sassafras Sassafras albidum
- California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
- Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba