Growing a Laurus Nobilis “Sweet Bay” for Seasoning
A year a go a friend of mine gave me a gift of a few bay leaves and told me she was growing her own bay plant in her living room! I’m always interested in what I can grow myself and the thought of growing my own bay leaves was intriguing!
Sweet Bay are very slow growing but after a year my little plant is full of new growth and looking like it needs a new home.
Sweet Bay are very slow growing but after a year my little plant is full of new growth and looking like it needs a new home.
The Laurus nobilis or sweet bay is best known as a seasoning. Did you know that the bay laurel is actually an evergreen shrub or tree that is native to the Mediterranean area? They can grow as tall as 60 feet. If I lived in zone 8-11 I could have my own bay hedge!
The bay can be kept small by pruning or by confining it in a container. In the spring, the bay has small yellow flowers, which will develop into purple berries in the fall. If you prune your plant it may mean less flowers and berries. I’m not interested in flowers or berries just the leaves for a seasoning.
As you can see from the roots, it needed to be transplanted!
After moving the bay into a larger pot and giving it a good watering I think it looks better already!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Bays are beautiful plants. I hope yours thrives, and provides you with flavorful leaves, for a long time to come.
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