Gardening Plant Encyclopedia Herbs Bay By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 1, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Bay Overview Description A culinary classic, bay's glossy green foliage is a flavor favorite in soups, stews, and meat dishes. Bay only survives to 25 degrees, so it's commonly grown in containers, sounding a steady evergreen note on patios during the growing season and gracing sunny interior windows after frost. In the landscape, established trees are fuss-free and drought tolerant. Potted bay is susceptible to scale insects; hand-pick any offenders. Protect potted bay from intense sunlight in hottest zones. If you love to cook, keep dried leaves on hand; they're an essential herb for bouquet garni. Genus Name Laurus nobilis Common Name Bay Plant Type Perennial, Shrub, Tree Light Part Sun, Sun Height 6 to 6 inches Width 1 to 20 feet Flower Color Green Season Features Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom, Winter Interest Special Features Good for Containers Zones 10, 11, 8, 9 Propagation Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Deer Resistant Harvest Tips Pick leaves as needed during the growing season. When plants undergo peak growth flushes in spring and summer, gather additional leaves to dry for use later in the year. Dried leaves offer peak flavor for 3 months after harvest. More varieties for Bay 'Undulata' bay laurel Laurus nobilis 'Undulata' has wavy leaf margins, providing extra ornamental value. It is at least as hardy as the species and can be used as a culinary herb in the same manner. Zones 8-11 Learn how to maximize your eco-friendly gardening More Videos » Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit