I never cared about bay leaves. You throw one in a pot of soup in the morning, let it float around it in there, before serving, you fish it out. What is the point? Did it actually do anything? And then one day, I caught a scent of a fresh bay leaf. Total game-changer. Those dried ones from the grocery? It’s basically leaf-shaped paper. But fresh bay leaves? They’re amazing smelling, way better tasting, and fill your whole kitchen up with some sort of ancient herb shop scented thing. So yeah, I decided to grow a bay tree. And honestly? Best decision ever.
Why Bother Growing a Bay Tree?
So, why would you grow one, for that matter? Simple.
You never need to buy bay leaves again, literally. And let me tell you: fresh ones are a worthy investment. They smell so nice, you’d want to eat them.
It’s weirdly low maintenance. All you have to do is water it every so often and it’s just growing. Convenient, right?
The smell? Insane. Lean against the leaves and your whole kitchen reeks of a spice market.
It grows in a pot. No garden? No problem. Do it on a balcony or windowsill.
It lives forever. Well, that’s an exaggeration, sorry, but, well, decades anyway. Your bay tree could be around longer than your houseplants, your dog, and possibly even you. Oops.
Convinced? Cool.
How to Grow a Bay Tree
Step 1: Get the Right Type of Bay Tree
Not all bay trees are the same. You need Laurus nobilis. That’s the one with edible bay leaves. Don’t get tricked into buying a random bay tree at the garden center (Sometimes, people make mistakes choosing the bay tree)—some of them aren’t the right kind and taste awful.
Step 2: Find a Sunny Spot
Bay trees love sunlight. Like, six hours a day kind of love. Basically they are like me. If you live somewhere cold, plant it in a pot so you can bring it inside in the winter. If you’ve got a backyard, Super! Pick a warm, sheltered spot. Oh, and don’t plant it right up against a wall or another tree. It likes space.
Step 3: If You’re Growing in a Pot, Here’s What You Need
- A pot that’s at least 12 inches wide and deep to start.
- Well-draining soil (a mix of potting soil and sand works great).
- A pot with drainage holes (because bay trees hate sitting in soggy soil. Who would want that?).
How to Keep Your Bay Tree Alive
Honestly, it’s pretty easy-peasy.
Watering
Bay trees do not like wet feet. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. If the leaves start turning yellow, you’re overdoing it. Back off. And ASAP.
Feeding
They don’t need much (So low-maintenance). Just give them some general fertilizer twice a year—once in spring, once in summer. That’s it.
Pruning (AKA free bay leaves for life!!)
Pruning keeps your tree bushy instead of tall and leggy. And every time you prune, guess what? You get more fresh bay leaves to use in your cooking. Win-win.
Using Your Homegrown Bay Leaves
Now for the fun part. Once your tree is growing, you can start harvesting your own bay leaves. Here’s what you need to know.
When to Pick Them
Once your tree is well-established—give it a year or so—you can start picking leaves. Older leaves have more flavor, so go for the ones at least a few months old.
Fresh vs. Dried Leaves
Fresh bay leaves are amazing in cooking, but if you want to dry them, here’s how.
- Pick a few leaves.
- Lay them out somewhere dark and cool for two weeks.
- Store them in an airtight jar once they’re crisp.
Other Uses for Bay Leaves
Bay leaves aren’t just for soup. Here are a few cool things you can do with them.
Write a wish on one and burn it. Some people swear it brings good luck.
Throw them in rice or pasta water for extra flavor.
Make bay leaf tea. Apparently, it’s good for digestion.
Put them in your pantry to keep bugs away. Moths hate them.
What to Do If Your Bay Tree Starts Acting Weird, Because It Happens
Even though bay trees are low maintenance, they sometimes get fussy (They have their moments). Here’s how to fix common problems.
- Yellow leaves? You’re overwatering. Let the soil dry out.
- Leaves curling? Could be pests or dry air. Check for bugs and mist the leaves.
- Not growing much? It’s normal. Bay trees are slow growers. Be patient.
I did not imagine I would love growing a bay tree as I do, but here we are. My husband was quite skeptical, to be honest. He was like “out of all trees, you’re choosing a bay tree? WHY?” But once you have experienced fresh bay leaves, those you buy at the store will get a lot less emphatic. And the best part? It is stupidly easy to take care of. Even if you have a habit of killing plants (oops, me), you will likely be able to keep this one alive. Fingers crossed. So if you’re considering it, go for it. Worst case? You have a cool, little-scented tree. Best case? Never buy a bay leaf again. Sounds like a win to me.
