Sweet Bay
Laurus nobilis
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Sardegna, Sicilia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lauraceae
- Genus:
- Laurus
- Species:
- Laurus nobilis
- USDA Symbol:
- LANO80
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
saucereye silkmoth (Callosamia securifera), Tulip-tree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera), Urodus parvula, Western amorbia moth (Amorbia cuneanum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Phyllocnistis liriodendronella Butterflies:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire or cutting damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions with well-drained soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination is slow and erratic; removing the fleshy fruit coat improves results. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI