Home › Bay Laurel › Grow in Alabama

Can You Grow Bay Laurel in Alabama?

US · USDA Zone 8a · zones 7b, 8a, 8b

Grows well here

Bay laurel grows outdoors year-round in your zone — expect a handsome long-lived shrub.

Plant zones

8a–10b

Alabama last frost

mid-February

Alabama first frost

early December

Days to harvest

180–365 days

When to plant Bay Laurels in Alabama

Direct sow

Feb 15

Harvest

Aug 14 – Feb 15

Dates are approximate, based on Alabama'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 Alabama

Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with long hot summers and mild winters. Most of the state supports year-round cool-season growing and a long warm season for vegetables.