How to Propagate Bay Laurel from Cuttings

06.06.2023 - 16:09 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren

Bay trees are so beautiful that I sometimes forget the leaves are also an essential culinary herb.

And every time I do pluck a leaf from my tree to toss in a recipe, I think to myself, “I wish I had more of these in my garden.”

I bought a second tree, but I’ll admit it, I still wanted more.

I got greedy for bays galore, but they’re not cheap, since producing healthy plants that are ready for transplanting is a labor-intensive process.

That’s when I decided to propagate more of my own bay trees from cuttings.

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I wish I could tell you that the process is quick and easy, but I won’t lie. Propagating bay trees takes time and patience, no matter what method you choose, and it’s likely that a majority of your cuttings will fail.

On the bright side, you’ll probably have better luck rooting cuttings than you might if you try growing bay from seed. 

For those with a passion for gardening, it’s well worth the effort. 

This guide will help set you up so you can grow new bay trees from cuttings without much trouble.

Here’s what we’ll discuss ahead:

To begin, you will take stem cuttings in mid to late summer.

You want to select semi-hardwood branches, with wood that is still green and pliable. Avoid woody branches or thin new stems. 

You might get lucky and your first attempt will succeed, but I recommend taking far more than you think you’ll need to improve your chances of success.

If you have the space, take a dozen, and expect a couple to survive.

Ready to get started? Here’s how to find the right stem.

First, choose a healthy, mature plant