How do I tell bay from cherry laurel?

Critical to get right — cherry laurel is toxic. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis, the kitchen herb): matt narrow oval leaves, faintly aromatic when crushed, small yellow flowers in spring, dark berries in autumn. Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, the hedging plant): glossy broader oval leaves, no aroma when crushed, white flower spikes, red-to-black berries. The crushed-leaf test is reliable — bay smells distinctly herbal, cherry laurel smells of nothing or faintly of bitter almond (cyanide).

Will bay survive a UK winter?

Hardy in most of the UK once mature (RHS H4) — survives down to about -10°C in a sheltered position. Young plants (under 3 years) and pot-grown bays are vulnerable below -5°C; they need protection in severe weather. Symptoms of cold damage: brown leaves in late winter that drop in spring; the plant usually re-shoots from the base if the roots survived. In cold gardens (Highlands, exposed Midlands), grow bay in a pot that can move under cover December–February.

When do I prune a bay tree?

Light shaping in early June is the main job — after the spring flush has hardened, before the second flush of growth. Use secateurs for individual leaf clipping (topiary), shears for hedge-style cuts. April: remove any crossing, dead, or frost-damaged branches. Don't prune late summer or autumn — soft regrowth won't harden before winter and will be frost-damaged. For renovation of an overgrown bay, hard-prune in late April; it tolerates cutting back into old wood.

What's wrong with my bay's leaves — curled and yellowing at the edges?

Almost certainly bay sucker (Trioza alacris), a small aphid-like insect that causes the characteristic leaf curl. Pick off and bin affected leaves at first sight. A horticultural soap or oil spray (organic) or pyrethrum-based control deals with active infestations. Improve airflow around the plant — bay sucker thrives in still, crowded conditions. Yellowing without curl is more likely nutrient deficiency on a pot-grown plant — top-dress with fresh compost and apply liquid feed.

Can I grow bay from seed or cuttings?

Cuttings are easier than seed. Take 10 cm semi-ripe cuttings in late summer (August), strip the lower leaves, push into gritty compost in a propagator with bottom heat (15–20°C). Roots form slowly — expect 8–12 weeks. Seeds are notoriously slow and unreliable; they take 6–12 months to germinate and seedlings grow at a glacial pace. Most UK gardeners buy a plant.

How many bay leaves should I use in cooking?

Two or three at most per dish. Bay is potent — too many leaves make a sauce or stew bitter and overly herbal. Always remove the leaves before serving (they're not edible whole — woody and sharp-edged when chewed). Older dark-green leaves have stronger flavour than fresh new tips; a year-old dried leaf is often more flavoursome than a fresh young one straight off the bush.

Bay laurel — Grow

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

herb☀️ full-sun🪴 well drained📏 medium🌡️ RHS H4

📋Quick Facts

Height

2.0-8.0m

Spread

2.0-4.0m

Water

💧 Minimal watering

Hardiness

Zone 8

About

Plant a bay laurel in a sunny sheltered spot, in a pot or in the ground, in well-drained soil — it's a slow-growing Mediterranean evergreen shrub or small tree that gives you fresh bay leaves any time of year. Bay is moderately hardy (RHS H4) and survives most UK winters once mature, but young plants and pot-grown bays are vulnerable below -5°C and need winter protection. The classic UK use is a container-grown standard or pyramid on the doorstep — moveable, manageable, and decorative. Pick leaves any time; older darker leaves have stronger flavour than the bright fresh tips. Don't confuse with cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) which is toxic — true culinary bay has matt narrow leaves, faintly aromatic when crushed; cherry laurel has glossy broader leaves and contains cyanide compounds. Bay sucker (a pest causing curled leaves) is the main UK problem.

Top tip

Bay laurel suits a large pot in sun or light shade; trim lightly to shape and pick mature leaves for best flavour.

Also known as: Laurier-sauce, Laurier, Bay laurel, Alloro, Loureiro, Liść laurowy / wawrzyn szlachetny, Laurel, Lorbeer

How to grow bay laurel

1
Know your laurel — true bay vs cherry laurel
This is critical. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis): matt narrow oval leaves, faintly aromatic when crushed, small yellow flowers, dark berries — the kitchen herb. Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): glossy broader oval leaves, NO aroma, white flower spikes, red-to-black berries — used as hedging but TOXIC (contains cyanide compounds). Mistakes in identification can be serious. If in doubt, crush a leaf — bay has a distinctive aromatic smell; cherry laurel doesn't.
2
Buy a young plant from a reputable nursery
Garden centres sell bay in 3 L upwards. Topiary shapes (lollipops, pyramids, balls) cost more but save 3+ years of training. For a kitchen herb, a 1 m bush or smaller is fine — you won't use many leaves. Avoid cheap supermarket bay — often weak, poorly rooted, sometimes mislabelled.
3
Plant in well-drained soil, in sun
Full sun ideal, light shade tolerated. Bay hates waterlogged soil — on clay, plant on a raised bed or grow in a pot. Spring planting (April–May) gives the best establishment; autumn planting risks winter loss on a young plant.
4
Container-grow for moveability and winter protection
The classic UK approach. A 40 cm pot of peat-free compost mixed 30% horticultural grit, in a sheltered sunny spot. Move under cover (unheated greenhouse, porch, garage with light) when severe cold is forecast — pot bays freeze faster than ground-planted ones. Refresh the top 5 cm of compost annually; repot every 3–4 years.
5
Feed lightly in spring
A handful of slow-release general-purpose fertiliser around the base in April. Pot bays need more regular feeding — liquid feed monthly through the growing season. Bay tolerates poor soils but a moderate feed keeps leaves dark and glossy.
6
Clip in early summer for shape
Bay tolerates shaping well — used in topiary for centuries. Clip lightly in early June to maintain shape (lollipop, pyramid, ball, or natural bush). For natural bushes, just remove crossing or dead branches in April. Sharp secateurs for individual leaf cuts; shears for hedging-style clipping.
7
Pick leaves any time
Bay is evergreen — pick fresh leaves year-round. Older leaves (1+ year old, dark green) have stronger flavour than fresh new growth (yellowish-green). Use 1–2 leaves per dish; bay is potent and overdoes easily. Dry surplus by spreading on a tray for 1–2 weeks in a warm dry place; dried leaves keep flavour for a year in a sealed jar.
8
Watch for bay sucker
The main UK pest. Bay sucker (Trioza alacris) causes leaf edges to curl, thicken, and pale — a clear distortion. Heavy infestations weaken the plant and ruin leaf appearance. Pick off and bin curled leaves at first sight. Severe cases respond to a horticultural soap or oil spray (organic) or systemic insecticide (chemical). Good airflow and avoiding overcrowding reduce risk.

Common questions

Pest Resilience

5/5 — Highly resilient

Aromatic evergreen foliage deters virtually all pests; scale insects very rare.

Visual Characteristics

Fruits

Yes

Harvest: Year-round

🍳

Culinary

Culinary Use

Stews, soups, bouquet garni, béchamel, braised meats, rice pudding

The bay laurel year in your garden

Dispatching imaginary bots to check your garden out...

What to do now

How to Propagate

🌰Seed

Easy

✂️Cutting

Moderate

🌿Layering

Moderate

This plant produces viable seeds for propagation

Hardiness Zones

H1a (tender)H7 (very hardy)

H1a

H1b

H1c

RHS H4

USDA 7–8 equivalent

Bay laurel

Bay laurel

📋Quick Facts

About

How to grow bay laurel

Common questions

Pest Resilience

Visual Characteristics

The bay laurel year in your garden

How to Propagate

Hardiness Zones

Names in Other Languages(7)