Bay leaves in USDA Zone 13 come from a slow-growing shrub or small tree, and that slow pace is the first thing to understand. Winter lows stay above 60°F and the zone is frost-free year-round, so a bay tree is never troubled by cold — it grows all year, a little at a time, and a plant set out today will not be a generous source of leaves for a year or two. Gardeners who want bay leaves this month should buy a plant, not sow seed. Gardeners who plant a young bay tree and look after it will have a handsome evergreen that gives leaves for decades.
Bay is the quiet workhorse of the kitchen: one or two dried leaves flavour soups, stews, rice and braises, and a single tree produces far more leaves than a household can use.
Zone 13 at a glance
USDA Zone 13 is the hottest zone in the system, with average winter lows above 60°F, covering tropical places such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam. It is frost-free all year, so there is no last spring frost and no first autumn frost to plan around. Zone 13 has no frost dates to work from, so plant by heat and by the wet and dry seasons instead. These are zone averages, not promises for any one garden — check your local extension service.
| Detail | Zone 13 guidance |
|---|---|
| Winter low | Above 60°F |
| Frost | Frost-free year-round (no last or first frost dates) |
| Days to germination | 14–28 days |
| Days to maturity | 365–730 days |
| Sowing | start indoors |
| Planting window | Any time of year; slow-growing shrub or small tree |
| Harvest | Leaves from established plants; 365–730 days to a sizeable plant |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 36–48 inches |
| Water needs | low |
| Cold tolerance | tender |
When to plant bay leaves in Zone 13
Plant bay at any time of year in Zone 13 — there is no frost to avoid and no cool season to wait for, so plant whenever you have a good young tree. The cooler, drier months are the kindest time to set a new plant out, since it can root well before the wettest weather, but a potted bay can be planted in any month with regular watering while it establishes. With 365–730 days to a sizeable plant, bay is a long-term investment, not a quick crop, and the calendar that matters is a pruning calendar rather than a planting one. The planting calendar hub shows the Zone 13 year, and March in Zone 13 is a good month to set a new tree out.
Starting bay leaves in Zone 13
Start bay from a young bought plant rather than seed: seed germinates in 14–28 days but grows very slowly, and a nursery plant is already a year or two old, which saves you that much waiting. Choose a plant with glossy, unspotted leaves and a straight stem, and check the label — true culinary bay is Laurus nobilis, and other plants sold as bay are not the same thing in the kitchen. Set the young tree in its final spot, in a large pot or in the ground with room to grow, and water it in well.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Bay grows best in full sun, in rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. It is more forgiving of soil than the Mediterranean herbs, but it still hates waterlogged ground, so dig in well-rotted compost and use a raised spot or a large pot where drainage is doubtful. Space plants 36–48 inches apart — a bay is a shrub or small tree, not a small herb, and it needs room to grow — using the plant spacing calculator to plan. Bay needs low water once established: water young trees until their roots take hold, then water only when the soil is dry, and water at the base in the morning.
Companion planting
Good companions for bay include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds and cabbage, but in practice a bay tree stands apart: it is a shrub or small tree, and its companions are the plants that grow in its shade or at its feet rather than in the same bed. Rosemary is a natural neighbour in the same sunny, well-drained corner, and sage grows well at the foot of a young bay tree.
Pests and problems
The common pests to watch for with bay are aphids, slugs and cutworms. Inspect the glossy leaves regularly, wash aphids off with a strong jet of water, and pick slugs by hand in the evening. The pest identifier helper can help if you are unsure what you are seeing. Bay is a tough, long-lived plant and usually outgrows minor trouble, but in Zone 13 the most common problem is scale insects on the leaves and stems in humid weather: check the undersides of leaves, wipe off small infestations, and give the tree room for air to move. A bay in waterlogged soil will yellow and drop leaves, so drainage matters more than any spray.
Harvest and storage
Harvest bay leaves from an established plant by picking mature, dark-green leaves one at a time, starting lightly once the tree is big enough to spare them and taking more as it grows. Never strip a young tree bare: take a few leaves at a time, and the tree will keep producing for decades. Pick in the morning, and dry the leaves before use — fresh bay is milder and a little bitter, while dried bay has the deep flavour cooks want. Dry the leaves in a single layer in a dry, airy place out of direct sun, turning them once or twice; in humid Zone 13 air, good airflow is essential, and a damp batch will go mouldy. Once fully dry and brittle, store the leaves in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place, where they keep for a year or more. Lemongrass grows in the same warm, sunny garden and makes a good neighbour for a young bay tree.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant bay leaves in Zone 13?
Any time of year — Zone 13 is frost-free, and bay grows all year. The cooler, drier months are the kindest time to set a new plant out.
How long does bay take to grow in Zone 13?
A long time. Bay takes 365–730 days to become a sizeable plant, and it is a shrub or small tree, not a quick herb.
What soil and spacing does bay need in Zone 13?
Full sun, rich well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0, spaced 36–48 inches apart.
Should I use bay leaves fresh or dried?
Dried. Fresh bay is milder and a little bitter, while dried bay has the deep flavour cooks want.