Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)

How much light does a Sweet Bay need?

Outdoors, full sun is the preferred position, which means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as acceptable. Container-grown bay trees thrive in full sun. Inside the house, give the plant the brightest location available, such as a sunny south-facing window. It tolerates bright, indirect light there.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2,3

How often to water a Sweet Bay

Water needs for sweet bay run from dry to medium. A short period of drought is tolerated, but consistent moisture gives the best growth. The soil should be well drained yet hold enough moisture for good growth. The drainage range on file also includes occasionally dry and occasionally wet conditions. No watering schedule in days is documented for this plant.

• Water: Dry to medium⁴

Best soil for a Sweet Bay

The recorded soil drainage for sweet bay is well drained, occasionally dry and occasionally wet. One source calls for fertile, well-drained soil. Another says the mix should drain well yet keep enough moisture for good growth. Both occasional conditions are listed, so the soil can swing between dry and wet at times. No soil pH range is documented for this plant.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, occasionally dry and occasionally wet^3,5

Hardiness and temperature

Zones 7a to 10b are the recorded hardiness range for sweet bay, which is widely grown as an ornamental plant in mild climates. Zone 7a is the cold end of that range and zone 10b is the warm end. Older, established plants can take temperatures down to around -0.4 °F (-18 °C). No cited source records a minimum temperature for young plants. No humidity preference is documented for this plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b²
• Minimum temperature: -0.4 °F (-18 °C)⁶

Fertilizing a Sweet Bay

Use a general purpose liquid fertilizer about every 2 weeks during the growing season. The frequency on file is biweekly, tied to the growing season. A liquid product is the form named for this plant in the source. Sweet bay has a moderate growth rate, listed as medium.

• Fertilizer: Every two weeks in the growing season⁵

Pruning a Sweet Bay

Sweet bay can be used as topiary, a hedge or a screen. The pruning type on file is light shaping. Container plants also need their roots pruned at least every two years, even if the plant stays in the same pot. A mature tree stands 8–12 ft (2.44–3.66 m) tall, with a spread of 8–10 ft (2.44–3.05 m).

• Pruning: Light shaping³

How to plant a Sweet Bay

Plant sweet bay outdoors in USDA zones 7a to 10b. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant in mild climates within that range. Allow for a spread of 8–10 ft (2.44–3.05 m) when you choose a spot. Full sun is the preferred position, with part shade also listed. Choose well-drained soil. A mature tree reaches 8–12 ft (2.44–3.66 m) in height.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b²

Winter care

Sweet bay is listed for USDA zones 7a to 10b. Zone 7a marks the cold edge of that range, and zone 10b is the warmest zone listed. Older, established plants can take temperatures down to around -0.4 °F (-18 °C). Sweet bay is an evergreen.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b²
• Minimum temperature: -0.4 °F (-18 °C)⁶

How to propagate a Sweet Bay

The propagation methods on file for sweet bay are seed, stem cuttings and layering. Cuttings can be taken from the plant, but they are difficult to root. Layering is the third method listed alongside seed and stem cuttings. Stem cuttings are the method the source flags as hard. Seed is the first method named in the list.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and layering⁵

Common problems

Scale insects, psyllids, spider mites, ambrosia beetles, thrips and whiteflies are the recorded pests. Scales and psyllids are described as occasional pests. The recorded diseases are laurel wilt, phytophthora root rot and root rot. The plant is described as susceptible to laurel wilt, phytophthora and root rot.

• Common pests: scale insects, psyllids, spider mites, ambrosia beetles, thrips and whiteflies¹
• Common diseases: laurel wilt, phytophthora root rot and root rot¹

Questions and answers

Is sweet bay toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists sweet bay as toxic to both cats and dogs. NC State Extension also flags it as a problem for each animal.

How much sun does sweet bay need?

Outdoors it prefers full sun, and part shade is also listed. Indoors, give it the brightest spot available, such as a sunny south-facing window. It tolerates bright, indirect light indoors.

Which zones can sweet bay grow in?

Sweet bay is listed for USDA zones 7a to 10b. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant in mild climates. Older, established plants can take temperatures down to around -0.4 °F (-18 °C).