BAY LEAF

Close-up of bay leaves on a white background

Green thumb up icon with stars on a white background

Daily Dedication

Black sun icon with rays on a white background

Full Sunlight

Water When Dry

Pet Safe

FULL SUNLIGHT

More sun = more flavor

In super hot climates, or on days of harsher sun, consider placing bay leaf somewhere it can get afternoon shade. A little break from the sun will prevent burned leaves.

6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

Bay leaf will protest to low light by growing slowly or appearing leggy.

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.

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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

EAST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants

WEST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹

⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants

NORTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹

⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!

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WATER WHEN DRY

Younger bay leaf plants need more frequent waterings, while mature ones are more drought-tolerant.

In general, bay leaf enjoys even moisture. Not too soggy, not too dry. Give it a thorough soak until it drains, then water when it feels dry again.

MODERATE HUMIDITY

Indoor humidity is typically fine for bay leaf.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

SOIL

BASIL DIGS A LIGHT AND FAST-DRAINING MIX

When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:

Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Small white pot filled with soil and small white stones on a wooden surface

Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can start harvesting when your bay leaf is about a foot tall or when it has grown several healthy stems.

Try to harvest every 1 to 2 months or as needed to maintain shape and encourage growth. It can get a bit unruly if left unpruned!

IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT

Find where a leaf stem joins the main stem and snip right above that point. This helps your bay leaf branch out with new growth!

For a larger branch, trim at the base where it joins another stem.

DRYING LEAVES

Rinse and pat dry fresh bay leaves.

Air Dry (1-2 weeks): Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Arrange bay leaves on the baking sheet, making sure they are evenly space. Place in a warm, dry area away from direct sunlight. Flip leaves after one week to ensure even drying.

Oven Dry (1-2 hours): Preheat your oven to the lowest setting and place leaves on baking sheet in a single layer. Flip leaves after 20 minutes then check occasionally. They will crumble easily when they are done!

COMMON ISSUES

YELLOWING

A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot.

Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.

If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

LEAF DROP

⊹ SOIL CHECK ⊹
Soggy: Likely overwatered or poor drainage. Ensure your pot has drainage holes. Allow soil to dry out a bit. Consider repotting in a larger pot and mixing in perlite or orchid bark for extra airflow.

Bone dry: Needs a drink. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom.

⊹ STRESS ⊹
Temperature changes or repotting can also cause “droopy leaf” stress. Keep its conditions stable and give it time to adjust!

SLOW GROWTH

A definite sign of not enough sunlight.

If you notice bay leaf leaf growth has started to slow or if it starts looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.

BROWN TIPS

Likely a sign of underwatering or shock from sudden temperature change or repotting.

Make sure to water your bay leaf when it is dry. A dramatic temperature drop may also shock this herb, so bring it indoors before a frost.

PESTS