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Can You Grow Bay Laurel in Ontario?

Canada · Canadian Zone 5 · zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Won't grow here

Bay laurel is frost-tender but makes a stunning container plant that overwinters beautifully indoors.

Plant zones

8a–10b

Ontario last frost

mid-April

Ontario first frost

mid-October

Days to harvest

180–365 days

When to plant Bay Laurels in Ontario

Direct sow

Apr 15

Harvest

Oct 12 – Apr 15

Dates are approximate, based on Ontario's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Bay Laurel

Bay laurel is the source of the bay leaf in every spice rack — a slow-growing Mediterranean shrub that can be kept compact in a container. The fresh leaves are far more aromatic than dried store-bought.

Buy a young plant rather than starting from seed (germination is extremely slow and unreliable). Grow in a large container so it can be moved indoors in cold climates. Very slow growing — harvest lightly the first year. Allow leaves to dry on the branch for best flavour.

Full bay laurel growing guide →

Gardening in Ontario

Ontario spans several climate zones. Northern Ontario is Zone 3-4 with short seasons; southern Ontario is Zone 5-7 with long productive seasons. The Niagara Peninsula is one of Canada's premier fruit-growing regions.