How to grow Bay Laurel in New Zealand
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a slow-growing evergreen tree whose glossy, aromatic leaves flavour soups, stews and sauces. It is tough, takes clipping well and suits a pot, a hedge or a clipped topiary shape, and fresh leaves can be picked all year. Buy a plant rather than starting from seed, which is very slow.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Bay Laurel in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to April | |
| Auckland | September to April | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | September to April | |
| Central North Island | September to April | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to April | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | September to April | |
| Canterbury | September to April | |
| Otago & Southland | October to April | Plant Oct to Apr so roots establish before the hard frosts. Cover young plants on frosty nights. |
| Central Otago | November and December | Marginal. Hard winters cut bay back or kill it. Grow it in a pot you can move under cover for winter. |
Where to plant
Plant bay in well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. It is very hardy once established and tolerates frost and salt spray, which makes it useful in coastal gardens, but it does not like wet feet. Mulch after planting.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, and Canterbury: plant in autumn or spring, from September to April.
- Otago and Southland: plant from October to April so the roots establish before the hard frosts, and cover young plants on frosty nights.
- Central Otago: marginal, as hard winters can cut bay back or kill it. Plant in November or December, or grow it in a pot that can move under cover for winter.
How to plant
- Dig blood and bone or compost into a well-drained, sunny spot.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth, and tease out any circling roots.
- Plant at the same depth it was in the pot, backfill and water in well.
- Mulch around the plant, keeping it clear of the stem.
Watering and feeding
Water moderately. Young plants need regular water while establishing; established bay trees cope with dry spells but should never sit in wet soil. Potted bay needs a deep watering once or twice a week in warm weather.
Feed in spring, and again in autumn if you like, with blood and bone or a citrus fertiliser.
Pruning and care through the year
- Bay is slow growing. Prune or clip it to shape, which is also how you harvest it.
- For a hedge or topiary, trim regularly through the growing season; it regrows well after cutting.
- Check the undersides of leaves and the stems for scale now and then, especially on plants under eaves or in pots.
Harvesting
Pick leaves at any time of year. Older, glossy leaves have the strongest flavour. Pick lightly from young plants and more freely once the tree is established.
Use leaves fresh, or dry them flat in a warm, airy spot and store them in a sealed jar for up to a year. Fresh leaves can also be frozen.
Growing in pots
Bay makes an excellent pot plant and is often grown as a clipped standard by the door. Use a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep with quality potting mix, in full sun or light shade, and repot into a larger pot every few years. Water deeply once or twice a week in warm weather and feed in spring and autumn.
Using it
Add a leaf or two to soups, stews, stocks, sauces and poached fish, and remove the leaves before serving. Bay leaves tucked into flour and grain jars are said to deter pantry pests.
Propagation and saving seed
Bay is mainly propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken at the end of summer, in a well-drained propagation mix. Plant them out once they have a good root system. Seed is very slow and unreliable.
Varieties
- Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Pests and diseases
Bay is easy and long lived. Scale and sap-sucking insects are the usual problems.
Pests to watch for
- Scale Small brown bumps on stems and leaf undersides, sticky honeydew and black sooty mould.
- Bay sucker Young leaves thickened, curled and yellowed at the edges, with white waxy insects inside. Pick off affected leaves.
- Spider mite Leaves yellow and stippled, and may fall, sometimes with fine webbing.
- Caterpillars Chewed leaves and droppings.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Yellowing, wilting leaves and dieback in wet soil. Plant in free-draining soil or a pot with good drainage.
Common questions
Can I grow bay in New Zealand?
Yes, bay grows well across most of the country and is very hardy once established. It is marginal only in Central Otago's hardest winters, where a pot that can move under cover is safer.
How fast does a bay tree grow?
Slowly. That is why it is best bought as a plant, and why it suits pots, hedges and topiary.
When can I pick bay leaves?
At any time of year. Older, glossy leaves have the most flavour. Pick lightly from a young plant.
Can I grow bay in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep with good drainage, water deeply in warm weather and feed in spring and autumn. Clip it to shape as you harvest.
How do I propagate bay?
From semi-hardwood cuttings taken at the end of summer, rooted in a well-drained propagation mix. Seed is very slow.
How do I dry bay leaves?
Lay them flat in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun until crisp, then store them in a sealed jar. They keep their flavour for about a year.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow bay trees; Yates NZ: Common problems of bay trees; Incredible Edibles (Tharfield Nursery): Bay trees.