Laurel
Bright green, imposing shape. Laurus nobilis is better known as the laurel tree and lives up to its name. It blooms with white flowers that appear like umbels in the axils of the leaves that later turn into oval fruits.
The woody shrub can be well trained and pruned. If you let it grow freely, it will become a complete and resistant beauty.
The strongest point of this plant is its leaves. They are beautifully oval and dark green with a light vein that can be seen on the leaf like a feather.
This evergreen shrub, originally from the Mediterranean, brings peace and freshness to the garden.
It is an ideal plant for dividing hedges in open ground.
Furthermore, the plants are available in beautiful formats. They are real eye-catchers in pots and containers on the terrace or balcony.
Loureiro lends itself well to creative ideas and can be cut into spheres, cones, blocks or trees with trunks.
However, the greatest beauty is in the natural shape of the bush. If you prune this green wealth every now and then, you will have a green friend for life.
The Laurel (Laurus Nobilis) is an easy-to-care plant. It is a strong plant that can be placed both indoors and outdoors.
The Loureiro originates from Mesopotamia, also known as ancient Persia. Loureiro has a beautiful history, as in the past the oil was extracted from the leaves and placed in soap for its purifying effect. This was done a lot in Aleppo, a city in what is now Syria. This soap is also called “Alepp soap”.
Loureiro is a versatile plant, as it is not only an aromatic plant, but also has purifying properties that have been valued for millennia. Loureiro was even at the birthplace of the current cosmetics industry.
Did you know that…
Alepp soap, the “Mother of All Soaps”, with more than 1,000 years of existence, is a purely vegetable soap based on laurel oil? The quality of the soap is determined by the proportion of laurel oil. Alepp soap combines the softness of olive oil and the healing effect of bay leaves in a pure and beneficial soap. The soap is especially recommended for people with sensitive or damaged skin. The soap hydrates and nourishes the skin. After a few days you can already feel what Alepp does for your skin. Alepp soap is 100% vegetable, fully biodegradable and long-lasting.
Care of the Laurel Tree
Caring for Loureiro is not that difficult. What's good to know: there are different types of laurel, including the well-known Portuguese laurel, Cherry laurel, Sebe laurel and Laurus Nobilis.
Water
Provide enough water
Water once a month in winter.
In summer, water 1 to 5 times a week
Although the laurel tree is easy to care for, the only thing you need to take into consideration is watering the laurel tree, as the most important factor for perfect care is water. If there is too much water, yellow leaves will develop inside and if there is a lack of water, the leaves will curl and become harder and grayer in color.
If the laurel tree sprouts in spring and grows in summer, it is important to give it enough water. Make sure the vase has holes at the bottom, so that the water can drain and so that there is no layer of water at the bottom. In winter, the laurel tree needs little water, as the plant remains dormant. When watering, water generously so that it is well moistened.
If the bay tree is growing or it is very hot, it may need daily water. Check the soil in the pot with your finger. If the soil is dry, you can water it. Winter is the laurel's rest period and you can water much less frequently. So watering the laurel tree once a month is usually enough.
Location
Best habitat for Laurus Nobilis
Does not resist frost
Can be used outside and inside
Don't leave too much time in the room during winter
Light doesn't matter much
Laurus Nobilis can be placed both outdoors and indoors. Before a Decorum Laurel is sold, the plant has been grown outdoors for at least seven years. If you buy your new Loureiro as an indoor plant, remember that the plant first needs to get used to the interior.
The Loureiro does not tolerate frost. In mild winters, the laurel tree can be left outside, but as soon as it starts to freeze, you should quickly move the laurel tree indoors because it is not hardy. It may be cool in the room. It is best not to place it at room temperature all winter, but three weeks at room temperature (+- 20℃) in winter is possible. Therefore, even if your laurel tree is always in the hot room in the summer, it is better to place it in another room in the winter, where it is cooler and the heating is not on. The best environment in winter is therefore a cold place with sufficient light. If you place the laurel outside, it doesn't matter whether you place the plant in the shade or in the sun. Laurus Nobilis is a strong plant and can handle both.
Temperature
In terms of temperature, the bay tree is not that difficult. It is a strong plant and can withstand many temperatures. The only thing that doesn't hold up very well is staying in the living room (or another room at room temperature) for more than a month. However, a cold room is not a problem.
Humidity
The laurel tree originates from the Mediterranean region and is therefore used to dry the air. Therefore, it does not need to be sprayed.
Diseases and Pests
The laurel tree can suffer from leaf aphids. You can see this in the curled yellow leaves containing white fuzz. The vine weevil may also take small bites from the outside of the leaf.
External characteristics of Laurel
Is the laurel tree not acting as you expected? This can happen! Each plant has its own unique needs, so caring for it is not always easy.
We list the most common external characteristics below:
Rolled sheet
Does the laurel tree have curled leaves? So the plant probably has psyllids. You can see this in the curled yellow leaves containing white fuzz. To combat leaf blight, pull off any yellowed, curled leaves and spray the plant with an organic insecticide. Do this spraying in April, May, June or July. It is important to repeat the spraying twice with an interval of two weeks.
Yellow leaves
Is the laurel tree getting yellow leaves? Then this indicates a water problem. Too much water causes yellow leaves to develop inside. In this case, do not water until the potting soil is a little dry.
Curly, tough, gray leaves
Curly leaves that harden and turn gray are the result of lack of water. In this case, give the laurel tree more water.