How to Plant and Grow California Bay Laurel

Adaptable and easy to grow, California bay laurel is native to the West Coast and the only tree of the Lauraceae family found in the western United States. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and can grow as much as 4 feet each year in the right conditions. The evergreen bears fragrant yellow flowers in late winter and early spring, which are followed by inedible olive-like fruits that draw in birds and squirrels. 

The hardwood of the California bay laurel tree—often referred to as myrtlewood—is frequently used in flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. It is prized for its durability, color, and striking grain pattern.

The shiny green leaves of the bay laurel are highly aromatic and release pungent oils when they are crushed or torn. They are not, however, the source of the bay leaves typically used for cooking (a.k.a., sweet bay or true bay (Laurus nobilis). In fact, contact with California bay leaves may cause skin irritation.

Where to Plant California Bay Laurel

California bay laurel is a great choice for many areas of the landscape in hardiness zones 7-9. It can grow on rocky bluffs, mountain slopes, protected valleys, deep ravines, and deep canyons—but the best growth happens in well-drained, well-watered soil where the tree can receive full sun or partial shade.  

Train it as a hedge for a pleasing touch of evergreen foliage or use it as a shade tree in a coastal garden or along the edge of a stream. You could also add it to an open landscape or park to draw in wildlife as birds and small mammals enjoy using the California laurel as a source of food and shelter.

If your garden space is limited, you can still enjoy the bright, fragrant foliage of the California bay laurel by planting it in a container to enjoy it as a lush patio plant.

How and When to Plant California Bay Laurel

In early spring, dig a hole 3 to 4 times larger than your California bay laurel’s root ball. Remove the tree from its nursery container or burlap wrap and loosen the roots as much as possible without disrupting the root ball. Place the tree in the hole with the prettiest side facing the front of the viewing area. Fill in the hole with equal parts compost and native dirt. Tamp the soil down to remove air pockets and water the tree deeply. If you are planting multiple trees, place them at least 20 feet apart.

California Bay Laurel Care Tips

California laurels thrive best in their native Pacific Northwest climates but are otherwise quite adaptable. In fact, in the right conditions, they can grow as big as 70 feet tall and wide. They also provide a welcome habitat and food source for birds and other wildlife.  

Light

California bay laurel grows best in full sun to partial shade. When planted in full sun and watered regularly, it can grow as much as 4 feet each year. It will grow more slowly in partial shade, but it is nonetheless a lovely plant.

Soil and Water

In their native habitat, California bay laurels are often found growing in coastal forests and around nearby streams and ponds. So, it’s no surprise they prefer moist, well-draining soil with a neutral to acidic pH (5.0-8.0). Beyond that, Umbellularia californica grows well in loamy, sandy, or clay soils and can tolerate short periods of dryness. Drought conditions, however, may cause the tree to die back.

New seedlings require moist soil to grow, so regular watering may be necessary. Once established, your California laurel should not need supplemental watering (beyond what nature provides) unless you experience excessive heat and dry weather.  

Temperature and Humidity

True to their name, California bay laurels love the West Coast climate—preferably when temperatures remain between 50 and 84 degrees. They can, however, tolerate temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 118 degrees.

The California bay laurel is also no stranger to humidity and grows comfortably in cool, humid maritime climates.

Fertilizer

Established, older California laurels need no fertilization, but younger trees may benefit from the occasional application of fertilizer with added phosphorus (0-20-0). Apply it according to the package instructions at the time of planting and at least once during the growing season of the first couple of years.

Pruning

California bay laurels can grow unmanaged but may benefit from light pruning—especially after the tree has grown enough to have some height and density in the upper branches. Just before the coldest winter temperatures arrive, remove any damaged, yellow, or dead foliage and encourage healthy growth by removing congested or crossed branches.

If you prefer a hedge over a tree, you can also train your California bay laurel into a hedge shape with occasional shaping and pruning.

Pests and Problems

The California bay laurel isn’t often troubled by insects, but leaf blotch miners, thrips, beetle borers, and cushion scale may be an issue in some areas.

California bay laurel trees are, however, considered one of the primary hosts of sudden oak death (SOD), a fungus-like plant pathogen that is suspected of killing countless trees in California and Oregon. It is a contagious soil-borne disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum and it infects numerous tree species including oaks, maples, firs, yews, and redwood trees among others.  Watch for large cankers in the bark—often with a black or reddish ooze—as well as leaf spots and twig dieback. While you are at it, keep an eye out for white-mottled rot, honey fungus, and anthracnose.

How to Propagate California Bay Laurel

It is possible to propagate California bay laurel from seed, but the process is unreliable and requires patience. You can harvest the seeds from the fruit husks of a healthy tree in late fall or early winter. The seeds should be planted immediately or stored in a cool, moist environment (like a refrigerator) until spring or as long as 6 months. Whether you are planting or storing your seeds, it’s wise to crack their nutlike surface to ease germination. You can use a hammer or nutcracker to do this but be careful not to smash them.

To germinate the seeds, place your cracked seeds in a plastic bag filled with equal parts moist perlite and sphagnum peat. Add some potting mix and place the bag in a refrigerator for 3 to 4 months. This will mimic the winter period needed for stratification. When the seeds begin to sprout, press each seed about 1 inch deep (and root down) into a tree-growing container (4 x 4 x 14) filled with good quality potting mix. Place the container in an area with full to partial sun and keep the soil moist (but not wet) until the seedling is ready to be transplanted outdoors (about 1 year). As needed, repot your growing California bay laurel into increasingly larger containers.

Some lucky plant experts have been able to propagate California bay laurel via softwood cuttings, but research is still needed on how to do so reliably. If you would like to try, take cuttings in the summer when the tree's offshoots are green and pliable. Snip an 8- to 10-inch-long section from the tree and remove all but the top few leaves. Dip the cut tip into rooting hormone and dig a stem-size hole in a prepared container filled with moist, coarse sand. Put the treated cutting into the hole and press to remove air pockets in the sand. Cover the pot in a sealed plastic bag and set it in a bright, warm location. After about a month, check to see if your cutting has anchored itself in the sand. If it has, you can remove the plastic bag and let it continue to grow for another week or two before transplanting it outside.

Types of California Bay Laurel

Umbellularia californica var. californica.

The Umbellularia genus contains one widely known species, Umbellularia californica var. californica. It is found in both Oregon and California (but can be grown in similar climates). Zones 7-9

Umbellularia californica var. fresnensis

There are also a few lesser-seen varieties, including Umbellularia californica var. fresnensis, which is found primarily in Fresno, California, and features white down on the underside of the leaves and on the flower panicles and branches. Zones 7-9

Umbellularia californica var. pendula

Another rare California laurel variety is Umbellularia californica var. pendula, which features more pendulous branches and stems. Zones 7-9

Companion Plants for California Bay Laurel

Manzanita

Manzanita is an evergreen shrub that typically grows from 6 to 12 feet tall in zones 8-10 (although it can grow taller). It is known for its colorful red, purple, and gray bark as well as the pink and white flowers that draw in hummingbirds and bees on a sunny day. Manzanita is drought tolerant and thrives best in full sun or part shade, so it’s a great addition to the understory of a California laurel or a stand of other tall trees like Douglas fir or redwoods.

Serviceberry

Serviceberries, which are a relative of roses, bloom just as the ground begins to thaw each spring. They earned their name because their white, pink, or yellow flowers often arrived just as the gravediggers of old were able to start digging graves following the chill of winter. After the flowers fade, serviceberries display clusters of edible deep red to purple berries that can be used to make jellies and jams. Serviceberry shrubs are hardy in zones 2-9 and prefer moist, well-drained, loamy soil and full sun to partial shade.

Oregon Grape Holly

Oregon Grape Holly (Berberis aquifolium) is native to North America and thrives in the shadier spots of your landscape. The low-maintenance shrub is useful as an accent plant, foundation plant, or shrub border. It grows quickly and densely enough to be used as a privacy fence or native fence, but may need management in some areas to prevent it from popping up where it isn’t wanted. Oregon grape holly is hardy in zones 5-9 and, like the California laurel does best in moist, well-drained acidic to neutral soil.

Douglas Fir

Douglas fir is a classic Pacific Northwest evergreen that can grow to well over 100 feet tall in zones 5-7. Like the California laurel, it prefers full sun to part shade and slightly acidic, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Once established, it is low maintenance and requires little pruning. It is also a favorite for Christmas trees and holiday decorating.