Bay trees are low maintenance and, with just a little pruning in summer, are easy to keep in good shape. Read our detailed bay tree care guide to learn everything you need to know about how to look after a bay tree.
Browse our full range of bay tree gifts to find the perfect evergreen tree for your garden or as a thoughtful gift.
Bay Tree Quick Facts
- Latin name: Laurus nobilis
- Position: Bay trees thrive in sunny or partially shaded areas of the garden.
- Watering: Water regularly during the growing season using well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged roots. Reduce watering in winter but do not allow the tree to dry out.
- Hardiness: Mostly hardy and able to withstand temperatures down to -5°C. Young bay trees may need additional frost protection.
- Pruning: Prune in spring and summer to maintain shape. Bay trees are ideal evergreen topiary plants.
- Soil type: Well-drained and fertile soil. Re-pot container-grown bay trees every two years.
- Planting: Suitable for planting in the garden or growing in containers.
- Feeding: Mulch with organic fertiliser during the growing season. Feeding is not required in winter.
- Care difficulty: Moderate
Our ornamental bay trees are carefully trained and pruned into elegant shapes, designed to add year-round structure and sophistication to your garden, porch or patio.
Once trained by our nursery specialists, maintaining the shape is straightforward. You’ll also enjoy harvesting fresh, fragrant bay leaves for cooking.
Pot Growing Bay Trees
For novice gardeners in the UK, the easiest way to grow bay trees is in containers.
A pot-grown bay tree prefers a sunny, sheltered location. Growing in containers allows the tree to be moved during winter when temperatures drop below freezing.
When to Re-pot a Bay Tree
Re-pot your bay tree into a larger container within the first 12 months to give the roots more room to grow. Spring is the best time to do this. Always choose deep pots with good drainage holes.
How to Re-pot a Bay Tree
Follow these steps when re-potting your bay tree:
- Withhold watering for a couple of days so the soil dries slightly.
- Loosen soil around the pot edge and gently remove the tree by the base of the stem.
- Add fresh compost to the new pot. John Innes No. 2 with 10–20% horticultural grit or perlite is ideal.
- Fill with a soil, compost and grit mix.
- Water thoroughly and keep well watered for several weeks.
After the initial re-potting, bay trees should be re-potted every few years. If the tree is too large to re-pot, refresh up to 50% of the old compost instead.
Bay Tree Feeding
Bay trees require feeding during their growing season. Apply slow-release fertiliser granules in spring or summer, or add organic mulch to the soil surface. Avoid fast-acting liquid fertilisers.
During winter, bay trees are dormant and do not require feeding.
Bay Tree Watering
Container-grown bay trees need regular watering during warm or dry weather. Check the top few inches of soil and water deeply when dry.
Bay trees dislike waterlogged roots, so ensure pots drain freely. When in doubt, underwatering is safer than overwatering.
Bay Tree Pruning
Carry out hard pruning in spring to establish shape. Light pruning may be needed in summer to tidy new growth.
Remove inward-facing shoots and dead or diseased branches to keep the tree healthy and well-shaped.
When to Prune a Bay Tree
Light pruning can be done throughout much of the year, but late spring through summer is ideal.
How to Prune a Bay Tree
Pinch back long stems in summer to control height and encourage bushier growth. Avoid very harsh pruning, as recovery may be slow.
When to Harvest Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are widely used in cooking, from soups and stews to meat dishes. Leaves can be harvested year-round and used fresh.
For drying, summer is best. June and July offer the highest essential oil content. Pick leaves after morning dew has evaporated for best quality.
Bay Tree Fruit and Flowers
Bay trees can produce small yellow flowers. Female bay trees require pollination to produce fruit, so a single tree may not fruit.
Bay Tree Problems
As evergreen trees, bay trees may drop a small number of leaves naturally. Excessive leaf drop indicates a problem.
Overwatering
Overwatering is a common issue. Bay trees do not tolerate wet roots. Improve drainage by adding grit or organic matter to the soil.
Cold and Frost
Bay trees are fairly hardy but should be protected when temperatures fall below 5°C, especially during severe frosts.
Nitrogen Deficiency
Yellowing leaves may indicate nitrogen deficiency. Mulching or soil testing can help identify and correct nutrient imbalances.
Bay Tree Winter Care
Bay trees tolerate temperatures down to around -5°C. Move trees to a sheltered position as temperatures approach freezing.
In colder regions, an unheated greenhouse or conservatory offers ideal winter protection.
If you are concerned about declining health, read our guide on why a bay tree may be dying and how to restore it to full health.
Send a High-Quality Bay Tree as a Gift
Bay trees make thoughtful gifts for food lovers and are popular for birthdays, weddings and new baby celebrations.
One of our most distinctive options is the double twisted bay tree gift , featuring an elegant double-helix stem that adds architectural interest to any garden.