Field ManualAll plants

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis L.

Family: Lauraceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Human edibility

Edible with preparation

Edible parts

leaves (as flavoring in cooked dishes)

Hazardous parts

whole leaves, if swallowed

Preparation

NC State says the leaves should not be eaten because they are sharp and can cause choking or cuts in the mouth and digestive tract. Use them to flavor cooking and take them out before serving.

Hazard type

physical injury or obstruction

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA lists bay laurel as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs named: vomiting and diarrhea, and a large amount of whole leaves can cause an obstruction. NC State lists problem for cats, dogs and horses without detail, so there is no conflict.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' (cherry laurel), Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel), Aucuba. To tell them apart: NC State says bay is often confused with these. Cherry laurel is rated High poison severity (cyanide-releasing compounds in leaves, stems and seeds). Confirm identity before using any leaf in cooking..

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: The word laurel is shared with much more dangerous plants. Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is rated High poison severity by NC State: its leaves, stems and seeds contain cyanide-releasing compounds. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is rated High by NC State (grayanotoxins, all parts) and is listed by ASPCA as toxic to horses. Neither is bay. Do not use a leaf from a plant just because it is called laurel; bay laurel is Laurus nobilis only. NC State lists Laurus nobilis itself under the names Laurel, Laurel Tree and True Laurel, so the bare word laurel cannot identify the plant..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 8b-10b (NC State). Bring indoors in winter where colder than 8b.
Mature size: Height 8 to 12 ft. Width 8 to 30 ft. NC State says it can reach up to 60 ft in its native habitat but is usually much smaller in NC and is often grown in containers.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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