Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis, also sold as bay tree) is a slow-growing, evergreen Mediterranean tree with glossy, aromatic leaves that suits clipped hedges, topiary and large pots in Sydney gardens. It is not the same plant as cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), which is a faster hedge with leaves you should never eat.
This guide covers the difference between the two, where each one grows well in Australia, how to plant and clip them, and what goes wrong.
Key points
- Bay laurel grows slowly into a dense, upright shrub or small tree, so check the mature size on the label (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions).
- It likes sun to part shade and well-drained soil, and it does well in a large pot.
- Maintenance is low once established, with a clip or two a year and regular checks for sap-sucking insects.
- Watch-out: cherry laurel looks similar but is a different, toxic plant, so positively identify a plant before you pick leaves for cooking.
Bay laurel at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Laurus nobilis (true bay, bay leaf tree) |
| Type | Evergreen tree or shrub with leathery, aromatic leaves |
| Mature size | Slow-growing; can be kept small by clipping (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Well-drained; poor in waterlogged clay |
| Water | Moderate while young; fairly drought tolerant once established |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy in most of Sydney; protect young plants in frost-prone western suburbs (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Flowering season | Small yellow-green flowers in spring (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) |
| Native to Australia? | No. Native to the Mediterranean |
Bay laurel vs cherry laurel: types and varieties
People often search “cherry laurel tree” when they mean the bay tree, so this table keeps them apart.
| Plant | Size | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) | Medium, slow-growing (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Hedge, screen, topiary, pots | The culinary bay leaf; positively identify before cooking |
| Bay tree topiary (ball, pyramid or standard) | Clipped to size (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Entrances, courtyards | Needs regular clipping to hold its shape |
| Golden bay laurel (variegated or yellow-leaf forms) | Smaller than the species (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Feature plant, pots | Leaf colour can scorch in hot afternoon sun |
| Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) | Fast and large (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions) | Cool-climate privacy hedge | Leaves are toxic; can struggle in Sydney humidity and may be a weed in some areas |
| Other laurel foliage hedges | Varies | Screening | Ask the nursery for the botanical name and weed status |
Where to plant bay laurel in Sydney
- Pick a spot with morning sun and some afternoon shade in hot western suburbs, because leaf edges can scorch during heatwaves.
- Choose free-draining soil, and add compost and gypsum-free coarse material to heavy clay so water drains away from the roots.
- Plant it in a large pot on a balcony or courtyard, using a quality potting mix, and expect to repot every few years.
- For a bay laurel screen, space the plants close enough to join up (indicative — check the plant label or product instructions).
- Keep it away from drains, paths and house footings, since the roots will spread as the tree matures.
- Avoid planting near bushland if you are considering cherry laurel, because it can spread, so confirm weed status with your council first.
How to plant bay laurel
- Plant in autumn or spring, when soil is warm enough for root growth but summer heat is not close.
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot and no deeper than the root ball.
- Loosen any circling roots with your fingers and set the plant so its soil level matches the surrounding ground.
- Backfill with the original soil mixed with a little compost, then firm it lightly.
- Water thoroughly to settle the soil, then add mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
- Stake a young hedge plant or standard so wind does not rock the root ball.
- Water young plants regularly, before 10 am or after 4 pm, using a trigger nozzle on any hand-held hose.
Caring for bay laurel through the year
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Spring to autumn | Soak deeply and let the top soil dry between waterings. Drip irrigation may run between 10 am and 4 pm. |
| Feeding | Early spring | Apply a slow-release fertiliser or a feed for pots exactly as the label directs. |
| Mulching | Autumn or spring | Lay organic mulch over the root zone to hold moisture, keeping it off the trunk. |
| Clipping and shaping | Late spring to summer | Trim with sharp secateurs or shears, cutting just above a leaf pair. |
| Checking for sap-suckers | Spring and summer | Look for curled leaf edges, scale and sooty mould. For pests, see a pest controller. |
| Harvesting leaves | Anytime on mature plants | Take a few leaves at a time, and positively identify the plant as true bay first. |
Using bay laurel for screening and topiary
- Clip bay laurel with secateurs rather than hedge shears where you can, because shears slice leaves in half and leave brown edges.
- Start shaping young plants early so you build thick, even branching rather than a bare lower trunk.
- For bay tree topiary, trim little and often through the growing season so the shape stays crisp.
- Make the base slightly wider than the top so sunlight reaches the lower foliage and keeps it green.
- Keep powered hedge trimmers within NSW hours: after 7 am and before 8 pm Monday to Saturday, and after 8 am and before 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays.
- Book a licensed arborist for tall trees, work near power lines or anything above head height.
Cost to trim a bay laurel or cherry laurel hedge in Sydney
| Job | Typical Sydney price (incl. GST, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Small hedge trim | $69 to $205 per job (typical $115) |
| Gardener, hourly rate | $52 to $115 per hour (typical $75) |
Common problems with bay laurel
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Curled, distorted leaf edges | Sap-sucking insects (bay sucker) | Remove badly affected leaves and see a pest controller if it keeps coming back. |
| Black, sooty film on leaves | Sooty mould growing on insect honeydew | Deal with the insects first; the mould wipes off once they are gone. |
| Brown, scorched leaf edges | Hot wind, sun scorch or dry roots | Mulch, water deeply and move pots to shade in a heatwave. |
| Yellow leaves | Waterlogged soil or poor drainage | Improve drainage or repot into a free-draining mix. |
| Bare lower branches | Shade and no early shaping | Open up the canopy and prune for light. |
FAQ: bay laurel and cherry laurel
Is cherry laurel the same as bay laurel?
No. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is the culinary bay leaf tree, while cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a faster, larger hedge plant with toxic leaves. They look alike at a glance, so check the botanical name on the label and never eat leaves from a plant you have not positively identified.
Can you grow a cherry laurel hedge in Australia?
Yes, in cooler areas, but cherry laurel can struggle in Sydney’s humidity and may be treated as a weed in some places. Ask your council or nursery about its status before planting, and consider bay laurel, lilly pilly or another hedge that suits your site.
Is bay laurel good for screening?
Yes, it makes a dense, evergreen screen, but it grows slowly, so you need patience or larger plants. Space the plants so they join up, clip them lightly each year and keep an eye out for sap-sucking insects on the new growth.
How do you keep a bay tree small?
Clip it regularly with secateurs and grow it in a large pot. Light, frequent trimming through spring and summer holds the shape of topiary. Avoid cutting hard into bare wood, because bay can be slow to recover from heavy pruning.
Getting bay laurel clipped in Sydney
We shape bay and laurel hedges and topiary on a regular schedule, so they stay tidy without weekend work. Browse our hedges guide to compare other options, or book hedge trimming in Sydney and leave the clipping to us.
