Plants
Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis · Lauraceae
True bay laurel is seasoning and design element in one: an evergreen container shrub with leathery, aromatic leaves that enrich any kitchen freshly picked — and, clipped into shape, frame entrances and terraces in Mediterranean style. It is surprisingly easy-going and, well kept, lives for decades. We source our bay trees in sturdy nursery quality via the Veiling Rhein-Maas.
- Light
- Sunny to part-shaded; bright in its winter quarters.
- Watering
- Moderate and even — neither a bone-dry root ball nor waterlogging.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Laurus nobilis
One distinction matters: true culinary bay (Laurus nobilis) is not the cherry laurel of hedge plantings (Prunus laurocerasus), nor Portuguese laurel — both are rose-family shrubs and considerably more poisonous, and their leaves have no place in the kitchen. Only Laurus nobilis provides the classic bay leaf for braises, soups and pickles.
Fresh leaves season more softly and floral than dried ones, which lose a touch of bitterness — many cooks therefore prefer leaves that have dried for two to three weeks. The leaf is always cooked along and removed before serving, as it stays hard and sharp-edged even when cooked.
As a container plant, bay is good-natured: it tolerates sun as well as light shade, clips beautifully into balls, pyramids or standards, and forgives the occasional missed watering. Trimming is best done with secateurs leaf by leaf or into the shoots in spring — hedge trimmers slice the leaves unattractively.
It is only borderline hardy here: it briefly tolerates light frosts down to about minus five degrees, but prolonged hard frost and winter sun damage the foliage. In the Rhineland it can often stay outside sheltered against a house wall; a bright, cool winter quarter at zero to ten degrees is safer.
In floristry, bay has a long tradition: we bind victory and honour wreaths from its branches, and the deep green, shape-holding foliage is excellent for garlands and long-lasting pieces. Dried, the leaves keep both form and fragrance.
Is Bay Laurel toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
True bay is toxic to cats and dogs: the essential oils irritate the digestive tract, and whole leaves can also cause obstructions. Leaves cooked along and removed are harmless for people; children should not chew the hard leaves. Do not confuse it with cherry laurel, which is considerably more poisonous.
Typical symptoms: In pets: drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea; after whole leaves also gagging or digestive blockages.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01A sunny to part-shaded spot in a container, happily outdoors in summer.
- 02Water moderately but regularly — the root ball should never dry out completely nor stand in water.
- 03Feed every two weeks from April to August.
- 04Shape in spring with secateurs, not a hedge trimmer.
- 05Overwinter bright and cool at zero to ten degrees, watering only a little.
- 06Repot every two to three years into a slightly larger container with free-draining compost.
Frequently asked
- Can I use the leaves of my bay tree for cooking?
- Yes — provided it is true bay (Laurus nobilis). The leaves can be cooked along fresh or semi-dried in braises, soups and sauces. Important: cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel are not culinary plants but poisonous.
- Is bay laurel toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. The essential oils of true bay can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs, and swallowed whole leaves can additionally block the digestive tract. Keep the container plant out of reach and dispose of clippings straight away.
- Is bay laurel hardy?
- Only to a degree. It shrugs off brief frosts down to about minus five degrees, but prolonged frost and winter sun damage foliage and roots. In the mild Rhineland, overwintering outside against a sheltered house wall with fleece and pot protection often works — a bright, cool quarter at zero to ten degrees is safer.
- How do I tell true bay from cherry laurel?
- By scent and leaf: crushed true bay leaves smell intensely of bay seasoning, while cherry laurel smells at best faintly of marzipan. True bay also has duller, narrower and often slightly waved leaves, cherry laurel glossy plump ones. When in doubt: only use bay purchased as a culinary plant.