Troubleshooting
Bay laurel problems — and how to fix them
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Yellow leaves
Overwatering or magnesium deficiency.
Bay sucker (Trioza alacris)
Curled yellowed leaf edges; cut off affected leaves.
Winter cold damage
Browning leaves after frost; wait and trim damaged growth in spring.
Slow growth
Normal; bays add 15-30 cm a year.
Scale insects
Brown bumps on stems; treat with horticultural oil.
Prevent bay laurel problems before they start
Most bay laurel issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Bay laurel problems — FAQ
Why is my bay laurel yellow leaves?
Overwatering or magnesium deficiency.
Why is my bay laurel bay sucker (trioza alacris)?
Curled yellowed leaf edges; cut off affected leaves.
Why is my bay laurel winter cold damage?
Browning leaves after frost; wait and trim damaged growth in spring.
Why is my bay laurel slow growth?
Normal; bays add 15-30 cm a year.
Why is my bay laurel scale insects?
Brown bumps on stems; treat with horticultural oil.