The Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) is a popular evergreen herb prized for its aromatic leaves and ornamental value. Ideal for pots, hedges, or feature planting, this versatile tree thrives in New Zealand gardens when given the right conditions. This guide covers everything you need to know about growing, pruning, and maintaining a healthy Bay Tree, whether you're cultivating it for culinary use or decorative appeal.
When looking to buy a bay tree, consider the type of tree that suits your needs. Bay trees are available in various forms, including standard trees and compact bushy varieties. These guides will help you find that perfect specimen in NZ!
The Plant Company has several varieties of Bay Trees available at our nursery or through other wholesalers. Each of these varieties has a wealth of fantastic information with it so you can choose the right variety for your needs. The following list is presented in order of popularity.
When you hear "standard bay trees," it refers to a specific way that bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) trees are trained and shaped. In horticultural terms, "standard" refers to a plant that has been trained to have a single, clear stem (trunk) with a rounded head of foliage on top. This creates a "lollipop" or ball-on-a-stick appearance.
Standard Bay trees are popular form for both ornamental and practical reasons. They are often used as formal accents in gardens, patios, and entrances. Moreover, they are especially well-suited for growing in containers. In both instances they add a touch of elegance and formality to a landscape.
The Plant Company and it’s partner nurseries produce a range of standard Bay Trees and we are highly likely to have or be able to source the trees that meet your requirements!
The Plant Company has the best Bay Trees for sale in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack and freight them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your plant needs and impress you with both our products and service!
Now you have a Bay Tree, the next steps are to plant it correctly and take the appropriate care so it thrives. There a few tips that we provide in these articles so you can achieve amazing plants.
For those with limited space or looking for an accent to an entrance, growing Bay Trees in pots is a great option. Container grown bay trees require a bit more attention than those planted in the ground, but they can thrive with the right care.
Select a pot that is at least 35 cm in diameter with good drainage holes. Use a well-draining commercial potting mix and ensure the tree is planted at the same depth as in its previous container. The tree can happily grow in this pot for 2-3 years before it outgrows its pot. Place them in a bright area with not too much shade. They will grow well with about three hours of direct sun per day or with high levels of dappled light. Be sure to only use fertiliser tablets only every six months and remember to reduce watering during winter but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Proper care is essential to keep your Bay Tree healthy and thriving. Even though they are low maintenance plants, they will benefit from the attention you provide.
Winter is the perfect time for mulching around your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with a mulch. The Plant Company has two very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. It breaks down to become part of the soil within two years. The second is the black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. In both instances The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top of the mulch for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company do not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter is quite okay.
Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our tree fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but it will require a secondary application in autumn. During this season the plants can also be lightly trimmed to keep them shapely.
Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken daily on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.
Caring for Bay Trees in autumn is all about finishing any trimming and keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt. Feel free to give them a light trim during autumn also, again the goal is to keep them shapely to avoid the need for any aggressive pruning later.
Check your Bay trees for any pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. Scale insect is the most likely pest and this is easily treated with an agrichemical. Leaf spot is rare but again easily treated with a fungicide. Winter is the time to just relax and wait for the tree to begin actively growing again in spring.
Planting your Bay Tree correctly is crucial for its growth and health. Firstly, choose a full sun position with good drainage and moderate shelter for your plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A good planting spade makes this job a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots are bound up, you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. The Plant Company does not advise cutting through roots, even if the plant is rootbound, as that injures the plant. Our article, Managing Rootbound Plants explains this in more detail.
Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is sitting above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure from your fingers as you go. Scatter tree fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering. If the plant is taller than 30 cm you might want to consider staking it to give it a bit of extra support and use tree ties for secure and appropriate holding.
Yellow leaves on a bay tree can result from pest and disease issues, or more likely, it will be due to poor drainage, too much shade, a nutrient deficiency, or misadventure. A sign of poor drainage can often be seen in the older leaves. If the leaves have a scorched tip that is progressing into the leaf. This is almost certainly a poor drainage (or overwatering) issue. High levels of shade will see the leaves develop yellow tones and slowly drop. If the more shaded part of the plant is showing higher levels of yellowing, then this is a good indicator. Please note that the internal leaves of the plant will often yellow and die as they are shaded by the outer leaves. This is normal for larger plants.
Nutrient deficiencies can show up as leaf yellowing. If you have ruled out all other possible causes and you know the plant has not been fed for some time you might want to consider feeding it. Use a liquid feed to get quick results or our tree fertiliser to address this issue. For Bay Trees grown in a container use the liquid feed and container plant fertiliser.
Misadventure can sometimes occur when lawn sprays are applied too close to plants. The chemicals can be taken up by the roots of plants which can cause leaf yellowing. In most instances the plant will grow through this temporary issue. However, severe cases of this, along with any of the other issues highlighted in this article can result in the death of the plant.
The Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis), often called the bay leaf tree, is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region. Known for its glossy leaves and aromatic fragrance, the bay tree is often used in cooking to add depth and flavour to a variety of dishes.
Bay leaves are a staple in many kitchens worldwide. They are used in soups, stews, sauces, and marinades, adding a subtle yet distinct flavour. Aside from culinary uses, bay leaves are also used in potpourri and as a natural pest repellent.
The Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) is generally considered to have a slow growth rate. While it can eventually reach a mature height of around eight metres, it does so gradually. This slow growth makes it well-suited for shaping and maintaining as a standard tree or hedge. Factors like soil quality, sunlight, and climate can influence growth, but overall, it's a naturally slow-growing species relative to plants such as Griselinia but it has a similar growth rate to Portuguese Laurels.
Once your bay tree is established, you can start harvesting the leaves for culinary use.
The best way to utilise the leaves from a Bay tree is to pick them fresh as needed. Alternatively, pruning a few branches and drying them is another great option. Dried bay leaves tend to have a more intense flavour than fresh ones, so use them sparingly in recipes.
To dry bay leaves, hang them in a warm, dry place until they become crisp. Store dried leaves in an airtight container away from light and moisture. Fresh leaves can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to a week.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
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