Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

ShrubsHerbs - Culinary

Laurus nobilis f. angustifolia

willow-leaved laurel

An evergreen shrub or small tree, to around 8m tall, with aromatic foliage useful in cooking. The leaves are willow-like in appearance being long and narrow and with wavy edges. Yellowish-green flowers appear in spring

Save to My plants

Buy this plant

Plant nurseries
9 suppliers

Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lauraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Laurus are dioecious evergreen trees or large shrubs, with leathery aromatic leaves, and small yellow flowers followed on female plants by black berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mediterranean

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in a container. Prefers a well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to bay sucker, horse chestnut scale, soft scale and tortrix moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a leaf spot and honey fungus (rarely)

Love gardening

View our Privacy Policy

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.