Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) standard — H90 cm | Pot Ø19 cm
- Regular price
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€53,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€53,95
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should shoots that appear on the trunk be removed? Yes, systematically: every sucker left in place gradually returns the tree to a bushy growth habit.
Can the leaves of a standard bay tree be used in cooking? Yes, they are the same leaves as those of bush-grown bay laurel and can be used fresh or dried.
SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌳 Clear trunk and pruned crown • 🌿 Evergreen aromatic foliage • ☀️ Sun to partial shade • ❄️ Hardy down to -5 °C • 🍲 Leaves suitable for cooking • 🐾 Non-toxic
This Laurus nobilis trained as a standard has a single perfectly clear trunk, topped with a dense crown pruned into a ball. A species native to the Mediterranean basin, bay laurel frames an entrance like few terrace shrubs can.
Its distinctive feature lies in the training process: several years in the nursery are needed to clear the trunk, stake it straight, and build the crown. The result is a miniature evergreen tree that retains its silhouette all year round, including in midwinter, when most terrace shrubs lose their leaves.
Which bay laurel should you choose?
Bay laurel can be grown in two very different forms:
- Standard-form bay laurel (this plant) — a single clear trunk topped with a crown pruned into a ball. The most architectural form, ideal for framing an entrance.
- Bush-form bay laurel — multiple stems emerging from the substrate, forming a dense clump (H35 cm | Pot Ø14 cm). The most productive form for cooking.
Exposure & location
Bay laurel prefers bright locations but tolerates partial shade, which distinguishes it from most Mediterranean shrubs and allows it to occupy spots where an olive tree would decline.
- Exposure: Sun to partial shade — tolerates 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Location: entrance, front step, terrace, path, exposed balcony — at this height, place it on the ground rather than a table.
- Hardiness in a pot: down to -5 °C — protect in case of severe, prolonged frosts.
- Soil type: well-drained, slightly alkaline — potting soil mixed with coarse sand.
The bamboo stake remains in place during the first year: it keeps the trunk straight while the wood thickens and is removed once the stem is sufficiently rigid.
Watering & care
Laurel tolerates drought well once established but remains sensitive to stagnant water, which causes the foliage to turn yellow. A well-draining substrate and an emptied saucer solve the issue, and the foliage always gives warning beforehand.
- Watering: moderate — let the surface of the substrate dry out between waterings, approximately twice a week in summer for this pot volume.
- Drainage: essential — never leave stagnant water in the saucer.
- Pruning: twice a year, in May and August, following the sphere — this is what maintains the shape.
- Suckers: systematically remove shoots that appear along the trunk, as they ruin the standard-form shape.
- Fertilizer: fertilizer for Mediterranean plants once a month from April to August only.
Leaves cut during pruning keep perfectly well: laid flat in the shade for two weeks, they retain their aroma for more than a year.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
The standard-form shape is made for symmetry: two laurels on either side of a door or staircase create a structured, timeless effect that no other shrub produces as simply on a terrace.
- To frame an entrance, place two identical ones on either side of the door, in matching natural-fiber containers — repetition creates the entire effect.
- For a Mediterranean arrangement, pair it with an olive tree — the deep green of the crown highlights the silvery olive foliage.
- For a trio of sculpted shapes, add a double-ball topiary cypress — two Japanese-inspired shapes that complement each other without looking identical.
- To fill out the base, complete it with a bush laurel at ground level — the same species, two tiers, and twice as many leaves to harvest.
At this height, the crown is at eye level: it is the only bay laurel format that works as a tree rather than a shrub.
Verdeia tips
- Remove shoots from the trunk as soon as they appear: the bay laurel constantly tries to regrow from the base. Every shoot left on the trunk gradually destroys the standard form and turns the tree back into a bush.
- Prune twice a year, in May and August: one annual pruning is not enough to maintain a neat sphere. Two light pruning sessions are better than a severe cut, which creates gaps in the crown.
- Protect it from prolonged frost: bay laurel in a pot can occasionally withstand -5 °C, but its roots are much less protected than in the ground. A winter fleece or a bright shelter is sufficient during cold snaps.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Laurus nobilis
- Common name: bay laurel, sweet bay
- Family: Lauraceae
- Origin: Mediterranean basin
- Dimensions on delivery: H90 cm | Pot Ø19 cm
- Form: trained on a standard, bare trunk and crown pruned into a ball
- Adult height: up to 2 metres in a pot
- Exposure: sun to partial shade
- Watering: moderate, allow the surface of the substrate to dry between waterings
- Soil type: well-drained, slightly calcareous
- Hardiness in a pot: down to -5 °C
- Growth: slow to moderate, prune twice a year to maintain its shape
- Foliage: evergreen, leathery, deep green lanceolate leaves, reddish young shoots
- Culinary use: leaves can be used fresh or dried
- Care: easy, regular pruning required
- Toxicity: 🐾 non-toxic to animals and children
- Decorative style: Mediterranean / Classic / Terrace
Each plant is unique: the trunk height, crown diameter, and foliage density naturally vary from one specimen to another.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What to do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.