Bay Laurel

Umbellularia californica

Bay deserves a place in every home grower's herb garden! This attractive ornamental shrub sports exceedingly fragrant white flowers in spring, and can be grown both indoors as well as outdoors - making it perfect for any climate! Bay Laurel’s smooth, dark-green leaves are strikingly fragrant, especially once dried.

Like the famed Mediterranean cooking bay leaf (Larus nobilis), this bay can be used for cooking, as well as potpourri, decorating, and as an insect repellent in stored dry goods. You can also use bay leaves for fragrant wreathes and garlands! California Bay Laurel's flavor is somewhat stronger than the Mediterranean Bay, so one leaf per recipe is all you need.

USDA Zone: 8-11 when grown outdoors

Grow Height:  20'+ (Large)

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: N/A

Pollination: N/A