Overwintering bay laurel

Overwintering bay laurel

1. 01

   When to bring bay in

   Planted out, a strong plant tolerates about minus 5 °C (23 °F), a little more in a sheltered spot. In a pot it is more vulnerable, because the root ball can freeze through. Once nights fall to about 0 °C (32 °F), move it to winter quarters, as late as you can.

2. 02

   Can bay stay outside?

   In mild areas it can: in a sheltered spot, with the pot wrapped and raised on pot feet, as long as nights don’t fall below about 0 °C (32 °F) for long. A bay that has been moved in can go out during the day in milder spells.

3. 03

   Where: bright and cool

   The ideal is a bright, cool room at about 2 to 10 °C (36⁠–⁠50 °F): an unheated stairwell, a garage with a window or a cool conservatory. There it rests and barely grows. The brighter, the better.

4. 04

   Watering and feeding in winter

   Never let bay dry out completely in winter, but avoid soggy soil too, or the roots rot. Water when the top 3 cm (1.2 in) are dry, which in a cool room means rarely.

   Start feeding again in spring.

5. 05

   Pests in winter quarters

   Scale insects are the most common winter pest. Check under the leaves and along the stems before you bring it in and regularly after. A warm room makes it especially prone to them.

6. 06

   Pruning before and after winter

   Do any hard pruning in spring, mid to late April or May, and trim off winter-damaged tips at the same time. Clip topiary balls and standards in summer.

7. 07

   When it can go back outside

   Once hard frosts are over, often in March or April. Give it a few days in light shade so the leaves don’t scorch. For frosty nights, bring it back in or cover it with fleece.

8. 08

   Common mistakes

   Too warm: in a heated room it doesn’t rest and picks up scale.

   Letting it dry out: the root ball should never dry completely, even in winter.

   Soggy soil: wet roots rot, especially in a cold pot.

Common questions