Bay Leaf plants are slow-growing trees with aromatic leaves that can be used in cooking.
It’s also known as bay laurel, sweet bay and simply laurel – this member of the lauraceae family comes from the Mediterranean regions where it is often found growing on hillsides or near rivers because its roots need water to thrive.
The tree may have originated somewhere around Southeast Europe but today there exist three different subspecies: one native to Italy; another confined largely within Greece’s borders, while others range across most areas in Turkey.
Bay Laurel was considered a sacred plant to the Greeks and Romans. Trees were often planted near temples, leading many people to believe that it has some connection with religious ceremonies or rituals in ancient times.
If you enjoy adding bay leaf to your favorite dishes, then it might be time to grow your own plant, don’t you think?
Growing Bay Leaf Plants
Bay leaves are a leaf that is commonly found in beef stew and other soups. It has been used for centuries as an ingredient to add robust flavor to any dish, and it has also been used as seasoning too.
Bay Leaf plants are quite versatile and can tolerate most soil types. Ideal PH range is 6-7, but the plant likes to be in an acidic environment with a pH ranging between 4.5 – 8.3 (although it still thrives at 5).
To help create this sort of condition you should add compost or other organic matter that will make your grounds more fertile to start off on the right foot!
The Size of Bay Leaf Plants
Ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own Bay Laurel tree at home? This fascinating plant, which can grow up 59 feet tall in just right conditions–and smaller if you keep its size in check with pruning or container growing-is perfect for the gardener who wants something different.
Container grown plants can sometimes grow as large or larger than the space they’re in. To keep your plant small, prune it so that its height is no taller than 5-6 feet and you’ll be able to move indoors when winter approaches!
Light and Moisture Requirements for Bay Leaf Plants
The plant grows best in full sun to partial shade. If you grow it outdoors, the afternoon shade can help lower humidity levels for your houseplant!
If growing indoors (and don’t forget that indoor plants need bright light!), misting once or twice per week will make sure this gorgeous herb gets everything it needs at home with minimal effort.
Add organic fertilizer like emulsion in bay leaf plants grown in containers. Trees that are grown outdoors don’t require fertilizer.
Bay Leaf Plants – Flowers and Leaves
Bay trees are dioecious, which means that both male and female plants are needed to produce seeds. The berries are into the female seeds and form in the fall where they contain viable seed inside for next year’s planting!
Female plants have flowers with only a pistil. Male plants, on the other hand, have stamen. The female bay leaf plants produce the fruit.
Bay leaf is one of the most showy flowers in any garden. The tiny buds start out green and quickly open into beautiful white blooms that contrast beautifully with their dark petals, all surrounded by a strong scent!
How to Grow Bay Leaf
Hardiness zones
Bay Laurel is a hardy tree that can grow in zones 7-10. It’s very frost sensitive, but it will do just fine, if you bring the plant indoors for winter or have it planted and cared for correctly, so it doesn’t experience harsh weather conditions like extremes of cold.
Bay laurel only takes temperatures down below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drying the bay leaves
Bay leaves are a versatile ingredient that can be used whole or ground in cooking. Harvest the leaves from plants that are at least 2 years old, and let them dry for up to two weeks on trays with parchment paper – so your meals will have more flavor!
Store your dried leaves in an airtight container. Bay leaves are both fragrant and long-lasting. They will not disintegrate during cooking, which means you can grind them up in a mortar to release their flavor but I find it easier to just leave them whole.
Ways to grow Bay Leaf Plants
Bay Laurel is grown for its leaves, which can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the tree’s branches are twisted and shaped into balls or hedges!
Bay Laurel is often grown as a houseplant in colder zones, but it’s best to do so only if you live between zone 8 and 11.
Pests and Diseases that Might Affect Bay Leaf Plants
Bay laurel is one of the few plants that are resistant to pests and diseases. Some weaker plants may suffer an attack from aphids, but as long as you add some organic pesticide, you should be able to treat it.
One of the most common problem that bay leaf plants face is over-watering and lack of sunshine. So, be mindful of these conditions.
Propagation of Bay Leaf Plants
To get a new plant from seed, it can take up to two years. For quicker results you may want try cloning or air layering but those methods might not work well with certain plants because of their sensitivity and fragile nature.
If successful though they will produce roots very quickly in comparison!
Other uses of Bay Leaf Plants
Bay leaves are a versatile ingredient that can be used in so many different ways. For instance, they have been found to provide relief for people suffering from skin irritation or inflammation as well as acting like an astringent when applied topically (containing tannins which tighten up your natural elasticity).
And if you cut open the leaf itself and apply it directly onto wounds…wow!
Bay leaves are a natural remedy for poison ivy, and other poisonous plants, in the form of a poultice made from water with soaked bay leaves inside.
Bay leaves and extracts are often used in medicinal applications to give relief from symptoms of arthritis, high blood pressure or even headaches.
The laurel crown is a symbol of victory and excellence in many cultures, with ancient Greeks originally creating them from stems.