In my quest to diversify my houseplant collection I've decided I need to grow more things indoors that I can eat, so when I saw a tiny bay plant, Laurus nobilis, for sale at the nursery this past spring, I bought one home. Like rosemary, that I’ve been growing for years, bay is a tender perennial that northern gardeners can easily grow inside.
When we were in Spain, one of the gardens I visited had hedges made from bay plants. The plants had shiny green leaves growing on woody stems about four feet tall. I doubt my pot grown plant will ever get this big.
How To Grow Laurus nobilis
Grow bay in a pot that can be shifted outside when the weather warms above freezing. Bay plants like direct sunshine but they readily adapt to lower indoor light.
When moving the plant outdoors, in the spring, take care to acclimatize it gradually, so its leaves won’t burn. But because northern summers are short and the plant is apt to spend most of its life indoors anyway, it is better to keep it in dappled shade or on the east side of a building, when you move it outdoors, to minimize shock and keep the plant healthy.
Fertilize bay when it is growing, in the spring and summer months. Water the plant after the soil dries out. I check my plant once a week.
How to Use Laurus nobilis
Bay leaves are a common flavouring for simmering stews, curries and braised meat dishes, the sort of cooking one does on short, cold, dark, winter days. As you can see my plant is tiny. I've had to put a moratorium on harvesting anymore leaves until it starts to grow again, next spring. I hope there will be enough leaves for cooking with next winter.
I've never tried growing bay, Melanie. You've inspired me.
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