How to grow Bay Laurel in Australia
Bay laurel likes full sun to part shade in well-drained soil and does well in a large pot you can move out of hard frost. Water steadily while it is young, then it tolerates some dryness once established.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 200 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 30 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to April | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to April | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to April | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost-tolerant tree; sow Oct to Nov. Young plants need protection. Mature trees hardy. |
| Adelaide & SA | March and April, September and October | Plant Mar to Apr or Sep to Oct. Bay is a Mediterranean native and very tough once established; it also does well in a large pot. |
| Perth & WA | March and April, September and October | Plant Mar to Apr or Sep to Oct. Bay is a Mediterranean native and very tough once established; it also does well in a large pot. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Plant Sep to Nov. Slow but hardy once established. Shelter young trees from hard frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | September to April | Bay Laurel is cold-hardy perennial; plant autumn; benefits from winter chill; produces year-round in Canberra. |
| North Queensland | September to April | Year-round Sep to Apr main window. Bay laurel (perennial) tolerates tropical conditions. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to April | Year-round Sep to Apr main window. Bay laurel (perennial) tolerates tropical conditions. |
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick mature, glossy, leathery leaves any time the plant is established. Snip individual leaves or small stems and the tree keeps producing year round.
Storage
Dried bay leaves store in a sealed jar for up to 1 year. Fresh leaves can be frozen.