How to grow bay leaves at home at home?

The use of bay leaves in cooking has become a tradition; no hot dish can do without it. But not many people know that you can grow bay leaves at home. It will perfectly enliven the home interior and fit into the landscape design of the garden area.

Laurel noble adapts to any place of stay. Some tricks and rules for caring for a plant make it possible to grow a beautiful green shrub even in the open field.

How to care for a plant at home

If you decide to grow laurel at home, you need to find a suitable place for it.

1. You need to place the plant on a windowsill or on a flower stand, where there is a lot of light and sun. In the shade, the plant develops more slowly. Do not expose foliage to direct sunlight.
2. Ventilate the room often to prevent discoloration and drying of the leaf tips.
3. Water as the soil dries. The tree requires good drainage so that the root system does not rot from excess moisture. A refreshing shower and spraying will moisturize the crown and avoid pest infestation.
   

   Advice

   For watering, it is recommended to use a water solution with baking soda. To prepare it, you will need 1 liter. running water and ½ teaspoon of soda.

4. It is worth maintaining the average temperature in the room, not higher than 25 degrees, in the cold season, the laurel should arrange a winter period at home, when the temperature of the content is 10-14 degrees, and watering is reduced and carried out once every 2 weeks.

How to plant correctly?

The growth and development of the plant depends on the correct planting. Before starting, it is necessary to prepare all the components of the process: layering, pot, soil, mineral fertilizer, drainage, shovel.

1. Take a small pot, because the plant develops slowly, and a large container will inhibit growth.
2. Pour drainage on the bottom (2–3 cm). You can take expanded clay or ordinary foam, which must first be broken into small pieces.
3. Prepare an earthen mixture: sand (1 part), peat soil (1 part), leafy soil (2 parts), turf soil (4 parts) - and fill the pot halfway.
4. Place bay leaf in the middle, cover with mixture and tamp lightly.
5. Water the plant with the diluted mineral complex.

The plant is transplanted at home into a new pot once every 2.5–3 years due to the slow development of the root system and the upper part.

An adult tree is transplanted once every 4 years or the top layer is renewed once every 2 years. In the warm season, the plant can be placed outdoors.

Reproduction methods

There are several ways to propagate a noble laurel at home:

• cuttings;
• planting seeds;
• separation of offspring.

Reproduction requires not only experience and skill, but also patience.

Cutting is one of the most time consuming methods, using a large, sturdy tree. To do this, you need to proceed according to the following algorithm.

1. Separate the twigs with 4 internodes neatly with a utility knife or blade.
2. Dip each of them in a substance for active growth of the root system (it can be found in any specialty store). Place in a container with water until roots form. Cuttings can be placed in moist perlite by covering the top with a glass jar. The plant must be periodically ventilated to prevent decay.
3. After the roots appear, transplant into a ceramic or plastic pot.

Seed propagation is the longest process; seedlings may appear 60–65 days after planting.

Sowing should be carried out in early spring, as a soil, you can use a universal planting mixture. The seeds are placed at a depth of 1.5–2 cm, slightly moistened on top and covered with glass containers, which must be removed periodically to ventilate and moisten the soil.

Advice

Opt for fresh seeds that have been recently packed, because bay leaves tend to quickly lose germination quality.

Growing a leaf by separating the offspring is an easy and fast way to reproduce. When transplanting an adult plant, it is necessary to separate the “children” with roots from it and plant them in a separate small container.

Proper maintenance in the garden

Average frost resistance allows you to grow shrubs in the open field or in a greenhouse. Bay leaves can freeze at temperatures below 13-15 degrees.

Advice

If, nevertheless, you took the risk of purchasing a plant in a region where the temperature in winter drops below this norm, plant it in a wooden tub or garden pot. This will transport the laurel to a warmer location.

Conditions that must be observed when growing in the garden:

• choose a sunny place for landing;
• neutralize the acidity of the soil;
• provide moderate watering;
• timely feed the plant.

This plant easily tolerates pruning, therefore it is a favorite shrub of experienced gardeners. In the southern regions, laurel hedges are common, which are given various interesting shapes and adjusted to the design concept.

Bay leaf is an unpretentious plant, it can be grown with pleasure at home, with little experience in floriculture.

By planting a shrub outdoors, you will get a versatile decorative element in your garden plot. Simple rules for planting and caring for a plant will allow you to grow an environmentally friendly seasoning for culinary masterpieces at home.

Bay trees are cultivated in subtropical latitudes, and they grow there with pleasure. In Russia, laurels can be found in nature in the southwest of the Krasnodar Territory. However, like many other thermophilic plants, laurel can be grown at home. You just need to be attentive to the needs of this Mediterranean wonder and take care of it in the same way we take care of fish, parrots and other pets. Bay trees are cultivated in subtropical latitudes, and they grow there with pleasure.

Bay leaf growing at home In Russia, laurels can be found in nature in the south-west of the Krasnodar Territory. However, like many other thermophilic plants, laurel can be grown at home. You just need to be attentive to the needs of this Mediterranean wonder and take care of it in the same way we take care of fish, parrots and other pets.

Laurel - houseplant

Laurel houseplant Fresh laurel leaves have a calm pleasant green color that will enliven any interior. Fragrant leaves will freshen and purify the air in the house, thanks to their ability to release phytoncides, which inhibit the development of bacteria and fungi.
Laurel is a rather unpretentious plant. It is not as picky about growing conditions as lemon, for example. And if you plant a bay leaf at home, it will thrive even in the northern part of the house in less light conditions. But still, with sufficient illumination, the plant will turn out to be much lush and thicker.
The full-fledged bay leaves used in cooking will appear on your personal bay tree in just two years. It is at this age that the leaves acquire a rich aroma. In indoor conditions, laurel grows up to two meters, and with especially good care, even higher. So you can generously share your own bay leaf harvest with your friends.
For laurel, propagation by seeds, layering, cuttings and seedlings is acceptable.

Laurel noble

Growing laurel from seeds

Cultivation of laurel from seeds The method of growing laurel with seeds is the most reliable, since the development of young plants from the very beginning occurs in the same conditions, and therefore they are not subjected to special stresses.
Laurel seeds can be found in flower shops or ordered online. Great luck and almost one hundred percent guarantee - freshly harvested seeds. But in any case, before sowing, you need to store the seeds in the refrigerator. This is the key to their best germination. In addition, laurel seeds have a thick skin, and in order to facilitate the emergence of a sprout, the seeds are soaked for several days. To accelerate germination and stimulate growth, it can be soaked in a special activating solution. For example, the growth drug "Epin" has shown itself to be excellent.
Any fertile soil is prepared for sowing seeds, but the top layer in a 2-3 cm thick container must be steamed or calcined sand. This is the best environment for the development of laurel seeds.
Seed peas are planted to a depth of 1 cm and covered with foil to retain moisture in the soil. Seeds germinate for a long time, up to several months. If you have patience and treat this process with love, they will surely hatch.
The optimal period for sowing seeds is during the winter months (January, February). Then, even if the seeds are late and lie in the ground for six whole months before germination, they will begin to develop in a favorable period both in temperature and in light.
And when this happens, they remove the film from the greenhouse and wait for the formation of the first leaves. Small laurels with two leaves can already be transplanted into a separate pot.
The site has detailed instructions for growing laurel from seeds.

How to propagate bay leaves at home

How to propagate bay leaves at home

Growing laurel from cuttings

Growing laurel from cuttings Growing a plant from cuttings is a more laborious process than sowing seeds. Laurel cuttings are harvested from an adult plant in the spring, when the trees wake up after winter, or in the first half of summer. Very successful cuttings are obtained from annual shoots that have not had time to lignify. The branches are cut into 6-8cm pieces.
Each cutting should have three internodes, that is, three free areas between the places of attachment of the leaves. For grafting, it is better to use the lower or middle part of the branch. Each stalk should have an oblique cut below. Then the first leaves must be removed, and the top ones must be cut off, leaving half a leaf - in order to minimize moisture evaporation. Pruning bay leaves
Any soil is suitable for bay leaves, but for planting cuttings it is better to prepare a nutritious substrate of your choice:
 a mixture of 1 part of leafy soil with 1 part of marsh moss;
 a mixture of 1 part of sod land and 1 part of sand;
 a mixture of 1 part sand and 1 part moss;
 just coarse sand.

Bay plants are very tolerant of any soil. The only thing they cannot stand is excessive waterlogging. So, almost the main condition for the successful cultivation of laurel is good drainage.

It is advisable to steam the prepared soil in order to avoid damage to the cuttings by pathogenic bacteria. The sand can be ignited. Any suitable drain is placed on the bottom of the container.

For better rooting, you can use special stimulants that promote root formation. Powder Kornevin is suitable for this purpose. The lower part of the cutting should be dipped in the growth preparation powder. And you can withstand the bases of the cuttings (immersed by 2-3 cm) for a day in a special solution of heteroauxin. The roots from such a procedure will turn out to be well branched and strong. Some gardeners use phytohormones for better rooting, and also organize bottom heating for cuttings.

The cuttings are buried 1.5 cm in the ground. They need to be provided with watering and a temperature of at least 22 degrees. To maintain the temperature regime, the cuttings are covered with a suitable transparent material: film, glass or a jar. Every day, the shelter needs to be briefly removed or opened for ventilation. It is useful not only to water the cuttings, but also to spray them with water. The first three weeks - this should be done 4-5 times a day. Then the number of sprays is gradually reduced.
It will take about one month for rooting. Once the plants have taken root, you can transplant them into another container. For the substrate, garden or sod land, leaf land and sand are taken. You can add a little peat and lime (5-10g).

Growing seedlings from horizontal layers

Growing seedlings from horizontal layers Take one of the lower branches, put it in a groove, pin it to the ground and sprinkle it with soil. In the place where the branch will cover the ground, you need to make an incision or at least a scratch on the bark.
A prerequisite for successful germination is a sufficient amount of moisture.
As soon as a green sprout appears from under the ground, you can dig out a layer and cut it off from the main branch. Then plant the young plant in a separate container.

Growing laurel seedlings

Growing laurel seedlings Buying ready-made laurel seedlings is no longer a problem. And the price for them is very democratic.
As soon as pets appear in the house, they need to be placed where there is diffused lighting or partial shade. At least they don't need direct sunlight for the acclimatization period.
It should also be the coolest place in the house, since laurel is not one of those who love high temperatures. A pleasant thermal regime for laurel is 15-20 degrees in summer and 10-12 in winter.
Laurel loves humid air. Therefore, it can be humidified in different ways: by spraying, containers with water next to the pot, shower.
When the time comes to pinch and prune bay trees, move them to a lighter spot for better branching.

Recommendations for proper cultivation

Recommendations for the correct cultivation of laurel Laurel responds well to organic fertilizers. This could be, for example, pigeon droppings. It is diluted with water, preferably settled. For one part of the litter, take 20 parts of water. Laurel will also accept mineral fertilizers well. You can feed him once every three weeks.

Recommendations for the correct cultivation of bay leaves Laurel is very fond of water, so at least once a month he needs to arrange a warm refreshing shower. You also need to water the plant with warm, settled water. In the cold season, this is done once every five days, and in the warm season, more often - once every three days.

Bay trees need to be replanted periodically.At a young age, the transplant is carried out after two years, and older trees need to be disturbed less often - once every five years. After transplanting, laurel does not need to be fertilized for about six months. But fresh air will not interfere with it. As long as the temperatures allow, the laurel can be kept on the balcony or in the garden, and brought into the room before winter.

Growing a bay leaf at home will require knowledge of its needs and growing conditions - all of which you will find in this guide. It is one of the most commonly used and well-known spices, and you can get fresh leaves any time of the year if you plant this plant. Learn all about how to grow a bay leaf in a pot on a windowsill and see for yourself all its benefits.

General information

Laurel leaves give off an intense aroma that complements most Mediterranean dishes.

Bay leaves have a variety of uses, from decorative to culinary and medicinal.

Although this plant is an evergreen shrub or tree in its native Mediterranean, its growth is easily contained by pruning or container planting.

Laurel grows very slowly, which makes it even more suitable for potting at home.

Propagated by seeds and cuttings (twigs).

Soil and pot

Laurel has no special requirements for the soil: it grows in any, with the exception of heavy and clayey, which causes waterlogging. Like many other plants, it prefers well-drained soil.

Drainage is very important, so choose a pot with large drain holes.

Start growing bay leaves in a small pot and transplant it into a larger container when you see roots coming out of the pot's drainage holes. Take your time to plant this plant in a large container at once. A laurel tree thrives when it gets a little cramped.

Types and varieties

If you plan to use bay leaves for cooking, it is very important that you grow a plant called Laurus nobilis. Other species of this plant, also called laurel, are not all edible.

There are several decorative varieties of laurel:

• Angustifolia is a narrow green leaf.
• Aurea - yellow foliage.
• Sweet Bay, also called Bay Laurel, is a bright green coloration.
• Undulata - The edges of the leaves are wavy.

How to grow bay leaves from seeds

Laurel seeds are very difficult and slow to germinate, so many people prefer to purchase a ready-made plant in a pot. If you want to grow bay leaves from seeds, here's what you need to do:

1. Fill a small flat container with moist, loose soil.
2. Sow the seeds and cover with a 1 to 2 cm layer of earth.
3. Cover the container with plastic wrap, leaving an air hole on the side.
4. The required temperature for germination is 20 C. Be prepared to wait 5-12 months before the seeds hatch.

This is the most difficult method, as germination takes a long time and attempts to grow laurel trees from seeds sometimes fail.

How to grow bay leaves from cuttings (twigs)

Ideal if you can get twigs of at least 15 cm from a healthy adult plant and plant them. The cuttings should be slightly firm, pliable, and green. This material is well suited for growing new bay leaves at home.

The more cuttings you take, the better your chances of successfully rooting a new plant.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Mix equal parts earth, sand and vermiculite and fill a small container with this mixture.
2. Remove the leaves from the cuttings except for the top two. Cut the top leaves in half horizontally.
3. Dip the bay sprig in the liquid root growth stimulant and keep in it for the required amount of time according to the directions on the package.
4. Stick the bottom of the laurel stalk into the potting mix to a depth of 5 to 6 cm.
5. Compact the soil around the cuttings and spray with water to settle the soil around the stems.
6. Cover the container with a clear plastic bag to create a moist rooting environment for cuttings.
7. Place the cuttings in a warm, well-lit area, but not in direct sunlight. The air temperature should be up to 22 C.
8. Monitor plantings daily, throw away rotten or withered cuttings. Water when the soil layer is 1-2 cm dry.
9. Check the roots once a month to see if they are growing. Gently pull the twigs upward to feel if there is any resistance.
10. Once the roots are 2 to 3 cm, transplant the new plants into separate pots.

Propagation of laurel by cuttings can take several months. This time is necessary for the development of a normal root system suitable for planting. However, sometimes the twigs do not take root.

If you are not a fan of problems and experiments, then it is best to just buy a small laurel tree from a garden store. This way you can enjoy it without frustration and effort.

How to care

To keep fresh seasoning available at any time of the year, there are several guidelines on how to care for a laurel tree at home.

Watering

Bay leaves are drought tolerant, but appreciates regular watering. Always allow the soil to dry out between waterings to keep the roots from rotting, but do not let the plant sit out of water for too long.

Laurel responds well to a shower at room temperature. At the same time, cover the pot with soil with a plastic bag.

Lighting

Laurel prefers a bright location, but it can grow in shade. Not afraid of drafts.

In spring and summer, sun protection is required on the windowsills of the southern sides.

Fertilizer

The bay tree needs to be fed with universal fertilizer twice a year: in spring and summer. A liquid fertilizer for cacti or palms works well.

Diseases and pests

Bay leaves are rarely affected by diseases and insects. In fact, it is itself often used to control pests of other plants.

• Laurel can be damaged by scale insects, worms, on the secretions of which a sooty mushroom settles. Well visible accumulations of worms are removed with cotton swabs dipped in soapy water.
• If laurel leaves turn yellow and fall off, it may be caused by excessive or insufficient watering of the plants.
• Leaf spots are often caused by boggy roots and excess moisture.
• Yellowed leaves can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies in the soil. To fix this problem, transplant your plant into fresh, well-drained soil.

Transfer

The bay tree does not grow very quickly in pots, so replant it no more than two to three years later.

Repotting is best done in the spring. Use fertile soil and good drainage as the plant does not like stagnant water.

Pruning

Pruning is an important part of caring for a laurel tree to contain large growth and give it a decorative shape.

It is usually carried out in the spring when new shoots start to grow.

Remove dried, damaged or diseased leaves regularly if they appear.

How to plant, propagate and care for a laurel tree at home - video

Harvesting

If you have grown your plant yourself, from cuttings or seeds, then start harvesting from the second or third year of its life.

For seasoning, harvest the largest leaves: the older the leaf, the stronger the flavor.

The harvested leaves need to be dried, as fresh bay leaves are quite bitter. From the moment of cutting it should take from 48 to 72 hours. Of course, the store sells bay leaves that have dried much longer, but freshly dried leaves have a more pleasant aroma.

There are many reasons to plant a laurel tree on your windowsill. These are attractive, shiny foliage that stays green all year round at home.It is a delight with a sweet aroma with a spicy nutmeg flavor. Be sure to get busy growing bay leaves and become the owner of an evergreen, glossy decoration for your home, the leaves of which are used in a lot of recipes.

One of the most popular home-grown evergreens is the laurel flower. He may be a small bush or a miniature tree.

In ancient times, laurel wreaths were worn on the heads of winners and famous people. This plant is very convenient to grow at home, because, in addition to decorative decoration of the apartment, it also has useful functions. You don't need to run to the store for a bay leaf, you just need to pluck it from the tree.

Characteristics

Laurel is an easy-to-care indoor plant. Even a beginner in flower cultivation can do this. In nature the laurel tree grows very tall... There are specimens exceeding 18 meters. Today, in the Sochi forests, you can see a laurel reaching 15 meters in height.

Although this plant is not very pretentious, it requires a favorable environment for it to grow well. This houseplant is very fond of the sun's rays, but it can grow well in a shaded place.

Laurel does not react to drafts, it is not afraid of drought. A laurel tree at home does not require much maintenance, it is necessary that there is always enough water, without waterlogging the soil.

Home laurel copes well with diseases, is not afraid of pests. To give a certain shape, laurel bushes can be trimmed. WITHmodern gardeners manage to grow tall laurel trees, differing from their counterparts in an openwork, intricately intertwined trunk.

Types of indoor laurel

This plant is subdivided into two groups:

• Noble;
• Canary.

Canarian laurel has wide, large leaves, the edges of which look somewhat wrinkled. This species loses to the noble laurel in terms of the strength of its aroma.

The main botanical variety of laurel is divided into three types:

• Narrow-leaved;
• Golden;
• Wrinkly.

Each variety is characterized by the shape of the leaf and its color.

How laurel is planted

The noble laurel should be planted in early spring. If you have already grown laurel earlier, then you need to pick up a pot, the diameter of which is a couple of centimeters larger than the previous one.

First, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. For this, you can use expanded clay or broken brick. The substrate is placed on this layer. For laurel, the soil should consist of sand, turf and leafy soil.... Such a composition is sold in the store, as land intended for breeding cacti.

Home laurel care

This houseplant is not very moody. But, it needs to be constantly sprayed and trimmed so that the crown has a decorative shape. It is also necessary to monitor the appearance of pests or diseases in order to prevent their development.

For good growth, the laurel does not interfere with a lot of sunlight at all. It can grow well in partial shade. Summer, when the temperature is more than 25 degrees, the bay bush can be left on the balcony... With proper care, indoor laurel can live for over 15 years.

In order to get a good growth of an indoor noble laurel, it is necessary to create conditions for him that resemble his native places. With the onset of cold weather, the optimal temperature in which a room laurel can safely be is 18 degrees.

Professionals recommend in January to lower the temperature to 10 degrees. In apartments where central heating works in winter, it is better to install laurel bushes away from heating radiators.

Where should the laurel bushes be in the apartment?

In order to grow a good laurel flower, it is very important to find the right location for it. It is desirable that the plant does not fall into drafts, the laurel does not like them. But you need to air the room with laurel regularly.

It is not required to create special lighting for the laurel. Normal room light is enough. To achieve the flowering of laurel at home, you need to take care of it, trying to bring the conditions of its location closer to real ones.

For example, a pot with a tree should be placed where there is a lot of light. So, with a large amount of scattered sunlight, laurel leaves will take on a more decorative look. The bush will be very dense, which rarely happens if the bay tree grows in more shaded areas.

How to water laurel bushes

In the spring and summer, the bushes need to be watered regularly. When it is very hot outside, watering should be more vigorous. But, prolonged waterlogging should not be allowed, because stagnation of water in the soil can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant.

The watering schedule in the winter is very different from the summer. The substrate needs to be watered only after the top layer of soil in the pot begins to dry... Watering should be done with well-settled water at room temperature.

With the onset of heat, the noble laurel should be sprayed in the morning and evening hours. You can also place a container of water near a bay pot.

Experienced florists use another method. Pebbles are poured into the pallet, then it is filled with water, a pot of laurel is placed on top.

How laurel reproduces

Usually propagation of this unpretentious plant is carried out by cuttings, but you can propagate laurel and seeds.

To grow laurel from seeds, you need to have special soil. To obtain rapid growth, it is recommended to pre-soak the seeds in heated water and hold for a couple of hours.

The seeds do not need to be buried deep in the soil. It is enough to sprinkle them with earth and cover with foil.

When laurel propagates by cuttings, they must be cut off from shoots that did not have time to completely lignify.

With the onset of spring, the cut off shoots are planted in slightly moistened soil. It is advisable to remove all leaves from the trunk, leaving two or three. The length of the handle should not exceed 8 cm... For the plant to take root faster, it is worth using wet sand. Usually young seedlings take root well within one month.

How is the transplant done

This operation does not need to be performed very often. A small tree should not be transplanted into a large pot. Laurel will do great in a small pot.

When he grows up and the pot becomes cramped for him, another container is taken, with a large diameter of about 4 cm.

The transplant is performed by rearranging the earthen coma. The missing soil is poured into the pot. Then the transplanted laurel watered well. Transfer work usually performed in the spring or summer.

Problems that may arise when growing

When decorative laurel is grown at home, the appearance of pests and tree diseases is possible. Several types of parasites can cause serious harm to the plant:

• Shield;
• Spider mite;
• Mealybug.

The bay bush is usually attacked by fungal diseases. This may be due to excess watering. At this time, brown spots appear on the bay leaf.

To fight such diseases, you need removal of damaged areas and plant transplant, with the addition of a new fresh substrate.

If you follow all the rules for growing laurel at home, you can always have a beautiful, fragrant and healthy plant in the room.

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