What hardiness zones is Laurus nobilis suitable for?

Laurus nobilis is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Laurus nobilis?

Laurus nobilis requires Full Sun.

How much water does Laurus nobilis need?

Laurus nobilis has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Laurus nobilis

bay laurel

Lauraceae

Mediterranean region, including southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey) and northern Africa

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height10-30 feet (3-9 m)

Width6-20 feet (1.8-6 m)

Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

8 - 10

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (moderate)

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

A dioecious evergreen tree or large shrub reaching 10-30 feet (3-9 m) tall and 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) wide in favorable conditions, though growth is slow at 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) per year. In zones 8-10, plants may eventually reach 40-60 feet (12-18 m) in their native range. Leaves are alternate, elliptical to oblong, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and 0.75-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) wide, leathery, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with slightly wavy margins. Foliage releases a characteristic sweet, aromatic scent when crushed and is the culinary bay leaf used in cooking. New growth emerges light green in spring. Bark is smooth and olive-green on young stems, becoming gray and slightly rough with age. Small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers appear in clusters of 4-6 in leaf axils in spring; female plants produce glossy black or dark purple drupes approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter in fall if a male pollinator is present. Natural form is pyramidal to columnar; responds to shearing and is commonly grown as a formal topiary, standard, or clipped hedge. Susceptible to cold damage below 15°F (-9°C); leaf burn and dieback occur during sustained freezes. Scale insects and bay sucker (Trioza alacris) are common pests.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey) and northern Africa. Occurs naturally in moist valleys, rocky slopes, and evergreen forest margins at elevations from sea level to approximately 2,000 feet (600 m). Widely naturalized in coastal areas of temperate climates worldwide.

Suggested Uses

Commonly grown as a specimen tree, formal hedge, topiary, or container plant. As a hedge, plant at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Container culture in pots of at least 10 gallons (38 L) allows overwintering indoors in zones colder than 7. Leaves are harvested year-round for culinary use; dried leaves retain flavor for 1-2 years.

How to Identify

Identified by its aromatic, leathery, glossy dark green leaves, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, that release a distinctive sweet-spicy fragrance when crushed. Leaves are alternate with slightly wavy margins and paler undersides. Bark is smooth and olive-green on young stems. Distinguished from Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel) by its smaller, narrower leaves, aromatic scent, and slower growth habit; cherry laurel leaves are not aromatic and are wider, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) long.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 30'

Width/Spread6' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Small yellowish-green flowers appear in April through May in leaf axils, in clusters of 4-6. Individual flowers are approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) across. Bloom is inconspicuous and not ornamentally significant. Female trees produce glossy black drupes in October through November if a male pollinator is nearby.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green above, paler beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system; once established, plants tolerate moderate drought but perform best with supplemental water during extended dry periods. Provide shelter from cold, drying winter winds, which cause leaf burn and branch dieback. In zones 7-8, plant against a south- or west-facing wall for additional winter protection. Apply 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of organic mulch around the base, keeping it 4 inches (10 cm) from the trunk. Scale insects (particularly soft scale) and bay sucker may require treatment with horticultural oil in late winter. Container-grown plants need protection or relocation indoors when temperatures drop below 20°F (-7°C).

Pruning

Prune in late spring after new growth has hardened to maintain desired shape; plants tolerate heavy shearing for formal topiary and hedging. Remove suckers from the base regularly if a single-trunk tree form is desired. Rejuvenation pruning to within 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) of the ground is possible in spring; regrowth is slow, taking 2-3 years to develop a full canopy. Remove frost-damaged branches in late spring once new growth reveals the extent of dieback.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic