California Bay Laurel Plant Care

California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) belongs to the Lauraceae family within the Umbellularia genus. California Bay Laurel is native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon. California Bay Laurel is also known as California Laurel, Oregon Myrtle, Spice Bush.

California Bay Laurel displays a tall, evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. California Bay Laurel produces small yellow-green flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Bay Laurel 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 Laurel thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Umbellularia californica tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. California Bay Laurel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for California Bay Laurel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed California Bay Laurel 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 rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Bay Laurel 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 Laurel can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 Laurel 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 Laurel 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 Laurel can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

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

California Bay Laurel 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 Laurel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Bay Laurel is native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon. In cooler regions, grow California Bay Laurel as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.