How to grow Laurel plants at home

Hey there, green thumbs! Ready to add some lush laurel to your home garden? Let’s chat about how to grow these beautiful evergreens without getting too fancy.

Table of Contents

Essentials

What’s a Laurel, Anyway?

First things first – laurel is that gorgeous evergreen shrub with shiny, pointed leaves. You might know it as bay or sweet bay. It’s a real looker in any garden and can even jazz up your cooking!

Getting Started

Soil Talk
Laurels aren’t too picky, but they do have some preferences:

They like their soil sandy to loamy with some organic matter mixed in1.
Keep the pH on the acidic side, around 5.5 to 6.51.
Good drainage is key, but don’t let it dry out completely1.

Sun or Shade?
These guys are pretty flexible. They’re happy in full sun or partial shade1. So, no need to stress too much about the perfect spot!

Watering 101

Laurels aren’t big fans of soggy feet, so here’s the deal:

Water deeply but not too often. Once a week is usually enough1.
Morning watering is best to avoid fungal party-poopers1.
Aim for the base of the plant, not a shower for the leaves1.

Growing Your Laurel

From Cuttings
Want to play plant doctor? Try this:

Snip 3-4 inch cuttings in late spring or early summer1.
Dip them in rooting hormone (sounds fancy, but it’s easy to find)1.
Plant in a pot with moist soil and cover with a clear plastic bag1.
In 4-8 weeks, you should see roots. Time to celebrate!1

Container Growing
Living in an apartment? No worries! Laurels can thrive in pots too:

Choose a big pot (at least 18 inches wide) with drainage holes1.
Use good potting mix and keep it moist but not waterlogged1.
Find a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight1.

Keeping Your Laurel Happy

Pests and Diseases
Like all plants, laurels can get sick. Watch out for aphids, scale insects, and some funky fungal diseases1. But don’t panic! Regular care and the right products can keep your laurel healthy and thriving.

Pruning
A little trim now and then keeps your laurel looking sharp. Do it in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

Companion planting to prevent pests

Here are some effective options:

Lavender: This aromatic herb repels pests like aphids, making it an excellent companion for laurel
Marigolds: These vibrant flowers act as natural pest repellents, particularly against nematodes and aphids. They’re considered a “wonder-drug” in the companion planting world
Nasturtiums: These colorful annuals are great at attracting predatory insects while deterring pests like aphids, whiteflies, and various beetles
Tansy: This plant repels many flying insects and pests, including ants, Japanese beetles, and cucumber beetles
Herbs: Rosemary, basil, and other aromatic herbs can help deter pests from your laurel plants
Ferns: While not directly repelling pests, ferns provide habitat for predatory insects that control pest populations.

By incorporating these companion plants around your laurel, you can create a natural pest control system in your garden. Remember to consider the specific needs of each plant when planning your garden layout.

So there you have it, folks! Growing laurel at home isn’t rocket science. Happy planting!


Laurel
Water	Watering little and often, once every 10-14, days keeps the plant hydrated.
Soil ph	6.0-6.5
Sunlight hours	While all types of laurel plants grow well in full sun, some types grow in shades.
Pests and Diseases	The plant does not like it either too cold or too hot.
Temperature	A temperature of 12-25 deg C is suigtable.
Soil composition	Need to maintain a good balance of phosphate, potash and magnesium; mixing bone meal with soil recommended.