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Bay Laurel

Laurus nobilis

Nature Hills Nursery
  • Harvest Fresh Bay Leaves Year-Round from Your Own Culinary Laurel Tree
  • Heat Tolerant: Thrives in Zones 8-11 (Patio 4-11)
  • Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant
  • Showy Yellow Blooms in Late Spring
  • Great Choice for Privacy Screen or Hedge
$4562
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In Stock
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Plant Size
Plant Sentry Protected

Plant Sentry™ Protected

Your order is protected by our compliance system that:

  • Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
  • Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
  • Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases

Learn more about Plant Sentry™
Plant Characteristics Evergreen, Edible, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone 8b10b
Sunlight Full sun
Height 12-15 ft
Width 12-15 ft
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate Moderate
Growth Habit Bushy, Upright
Blooms In Spring
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Green
Fragrant Yes
Pet Safety Toxic to pets, Toxic to horses
Suitable Space Outdoors, Indoors, Container
Botanical Name Laurus nobilis
Species nobilis
Class Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
R
Rhonda (United States)
Its very healthy

Its very healthy. It was trimmed back a lot to prevent damage in shipping and I cannot wait until it gets full again.

E
Ellen (United States)
Excellent heath and large

Wonderful healthy plant! I have bought a few trees/ plants now through this company and am really impressed with the health and quality.

Hi Ellen,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are thrilled to hear that you've been consistently pleased with the health and quality of your plants from us. To keep your Bay Laurel thriving, make sure to provide it with well-draining soil and allow the top inch or two to dry out between waterings. Bay Laurel doesn't like to sit in soggy soil, so good drainage is key. We truly appreciate your continued trust in Nature Hills Nursery and look forward to helping you grow your garden for years to come! Thank you - Nature Hills Customer Service

D
Debbie
Bay Tree

Beautiful little bay tree

Hi Debbie,

Thank you so much for your lovely review of the bay tree! We’re delighted to hear that it’s brought a bit of beauty to your space. Bay trees are such versatile and fragrant additions—they really brighten up any garden or kitchen with their fresh leaves.

If you’d like any tips on care or pruning to keep your bay tree healthy and thriving, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help you get the most out of your plants. And if you’re looking to expand your garden, we have plenty of other wonderful plants you might love!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

A
A
great buy.. full of leaves

great buy.. full of leaves

Dear A A.,

Thank you so much for your feedback and for choosing NatureHills.com for your purchase. We're delighted to hear that you found it to be a great buy! We also appreciate you mentioning the leaves; sometimes plants arrive with extra foliage that can actually help protect them during shipping.

If you find you'd like guidance on care or leaf maintenance to keep your new plant thriving, feel free to reach out—we’re here to assist! Additionally, our online Plant Care Guides offer helpful tips tailored to a variety of species, which might be a great resource as you nurture your new greenery.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

P
Patricia
PatriciaG

Just received today. Kind of wilted. It has been enroute to my home for at least 6 days. It's hot here. I immediately stuck the plant in a bucket of water for about an hour. Will keep the poor thing moist. This tree obviously was shipped in good shape. Will baby it for a while as I believe it's stressed from the trip. Not sure what could have helped. I have high hopes for this beautiful tree.

Dear Patricia,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed experience with your new tree. We truly appreciate your thoughtful observations and the care you’re already giving it. It sounds like those few days in transit and the heat were definitely challenging conditions, but your attention—like soaking it in water right away and keeping it moist—will give your tree the best chance to recover and thrive.

If possible, placing the tree in partial shade for the first few days while it recuperates can help ease stress from heat and transit shock. Also, if you haven’t yet, gently pruning any wilted or damaged leaves can encourage new healthy growth once your tree gains strength. We’re here if you’d like specific care advice tailored to your tree type or local climate conditions.

Again, thanks for trusting us with your planting project and for being such a dedicated plant parent. We have high hopes alongside you that your beautiful tree will flourish and become a wonderful addition to your garden space!

Let's keep in touch anytime you have questions or want tips.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

P
Patricia
PatriciaG

Just received today. Kind of wilted. It has been enroute to my home for at least 6 days. It's hot here. I immediately stuck the plant in a bucket of water for about an hour. Will keep the poor thing moist. This tree obviously was shipped in good shape. Will baby it for a while as I believe it's stressed from the trip. Not sure what could have helped. I have high hopes for this beautiful tree.

Dear Patricia G.,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new tree. We truly appreciate your thoughtful and detailed feedback. It sounds like the travel conditions, especially the heat and the lengthy shipping time, took a bit of a toll on your plant, but you’re taking wonderful steps to help it recover. Soaking the roots and keeping the tree consistently moist is a perfect way to ease its transplant shock.

To support your baby tree even more, we recommend placing it in a shaded, sheltered spot initially to reduce stress, then gradually introducing it to sunlight as it regains strength. Also, using a light mulch around the base can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Our Plant Care pages offer some great tips on nurturing newly shipped trees, which you may find helpful for this recovery period.

We admire your care and hope your beautiful tree thrives splendidly in your garden. If you have any concerns or questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to support you and your plant’s journey.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

J
John
Nice Size and Healthy

Plant is about 3 feet high and full of leaves. For the small size pot, I was impressed. Arrived in great condition with no noticeable damage. So, I'm happy. It's in full sun and, after 2 weeks is sprouting new buds/growth, so it's happy too. Look forward for it to fill out so I can shape it. I'm patient. Another success from NatureHills.

Hi John,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Bay Laurel! We’re delighted to hear it arrived healthy, well-sized, and already sprouting new growth—your patience is definitely paying off. Bay Laurels really thrive in full sun, so you’re giving yours an ideal environment. When it comes time to shape your plant, gentle pruning and regular nibbling by shears will help maintain a beautiful and full form. Be sure to prune in early spring to support vigorous growth!

If you ever have questions about care or shaping techniques down the road, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to assist as your Bay Laurel fills out and becomes a stunning focal point in your garden.

Here for all your plant care needs,
Nature Hills – America’s Online Plant Experts

J
John
Nice Size and Healthy

Plant is about 3 feet high and full of leaves. For the small size pot, I was impressed. Arrived in great condition with no noticeable damage. So, I'm happy. It's in full sun and, after 2 weeks is sprouting new buds/growth, so it's happy too. Look forward for it to fill out so I can shape it. I'm patient. Another success from NatureHills.

Hi John,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Bay Laurel! We’re thrilled to hear the plant arrived healthy and vibrant, and even better that it’s already sprouting new growth under full sun—that’s a great sign your green friend is loving its new home. Patience definitely pays off with Bay Laurels; as you continue to nurture it, you’ll enjoy shaping and watching it fill out beautifully. If you ever want tips on pruning and shaping, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to guide you.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i buy a bay leaf tree?
  • Bay laurel trees (Laurus nobilis) are available at specialty nurseries and online retailers that carry culinary herbs and Mediterranean plants. These evergreen trees thrive in zones 8-11 when planted in the ground, or can be grown in containers in colder climates. Look for nurseries that specialize in edible landscaping or herb plants for the best selection.

Can I grow Bay Laurel in zone 4B or colder climates?
  • Bay Laurel is hardy in zones 8-11 and won't survive zone 4B winters outdoors. In colder climates, grow it in a large container and bring it indoors before first frost. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens that adapt well to container growing.

How big does Bay Laurel get at maturity?
  • Bay Laurel can reach 10-20 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide at maturity when planted in the ground in Zones 8-11. However, it responds beautifully to pruning and can easily be maintained at any desired size. Keep it compact for containers or allow full growth for effective screening.

Can Bay Laurel be grown in containers or pots?
  • Yes, Bay Laurel thrives in containers and makes an ideal patio plant with its dark green evergreen foliage. It's particularly perfect for gardeners outside Zones 8-11 who can't plant it in-ground. Use large Tuscan-style pots and prune regularly to maintain your desired size.

Does Bay Laurel need fertilizer, and when?
  • Bay Laurel benefits from light fertilization during the growing season but doesn't require heavy feeding. In zones 8-11, apply a balanced fertilizer monthly from spring through early fall for container plants, or twice yearly for ground plantings. Feed less frequently once established, as this Mediterranean native thrives in lean soils available at naturehills.com.

What pot size is best for Bay Laurel, and when to repot?
  • Start with a 10-15 gallon container for Bay Laurel, as it needs room for its extensive root system. Large Tuscan-style pots work beautifully and allow the tree to develop properly. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, moving up one size when roots circle the bottom.
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