• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Growing Bay (Laurus nobilis)

Grow your own bay leaves for seasoning spaghetti, Italian dishes, lentils, and more.

Sweet bay is hardy in zones 8 and warmer where it thrives in moist, rich soil and full to partial sun.

Gardeners in other areas can grow it in a container and treat it like a houseplant. Grow it in a sunny, south-facing window year-round or move it outside to a slightly shaded location for the summer. Water container plants whenever the top inch of potting mix is dry.

Move indoor plants to a cooler area for fall and winter. Keep the soil slightly drier and do not fertilize until spring.

Harvest bay leaves as needed throughout the year. Their flavor is most intense in mid to late summer. Pick older leaves with the better flavor first and use fresh bay leaves within a couple days of harvest to maintain their flavor.

A bit more information: One way to preserve bay leaves is by drying individual leaves.  Remove the best leaves and lay them flat on a paper towel so they are not touching. Cover with another paper towel and layer of leaves. Repeat for a total of five layers. Place in a warm, dry location or microwave small quantities until the leaves are thoroughly dry.

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW