Bay leaves or laurel is primarily an outdoor plant, but it can also be grown successfully in large pots and even indoors with proper care. In Kuwait, bay laurel can grow outdoors during the cooler months; however, because of the intense summer heat and dry desert conditions, it performs best in a pot that can be moved to a shaded or partially protected area during extreme heat. It tolerates heat but prefers some afternoon shade and protection from harsh, drying winds.
Bay laurel can grow into a tree reaching 8–12 meters tall in the ground under ideal conditions, but when grown in pots it usually stays between 1.5–3 meters, and it responds very well to pruning, making it popular for shapes. It has a slow to moderate growth rate, typically growing about 20–40 cm per year. One of its most interesting uses is not only used in food, but historically it symbolized victory and honor, as ancient crowns of laurel were worn by scholars and champions.
With proper care, a bay laurel plant can live for 50 years or more, and some specimens live well over 100 years.
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For indoors keep the plant near a window
For outdoors aim for 6 hours of indirect sunlight
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Water 2-3 times a week or when the soil dries out
Keep soil moist but not saturated
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Commonly grown in pots
Requires well drained soil
