California Bay Plant Care

California Bay (Myrica californica) belongs to the Myricaceae family within the Myrica genus. California Bay is native to the Pacific coast of North America. California Bay is also known as California Myrtle, Pacific Wax Myrtle, Bay Tree.

California Bay displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. California Bay produces inconspicuous small flowers in catkins.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Bay every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

California Bay thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Myrica californica tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. California Bay prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for California Bay to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed California Bay every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Bay is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

California Bay can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune California Bay while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

California Bay is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

California Bay can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to southern wax myrtle plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

California Bay is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

California Bay grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Bay is native to the Pacific coast of North America. In cooler regions, grow California Bay as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.