herb · transplant · beginner friendly
Bay Laurel: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating bay laurel a few times a week needs about 29 plants in ~174 sq ft, worth about $58 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 8 | ~48 sq ft | ~12 | ~$16 |
| 2 people | 15 | ~90 sq ft | ~22 | ~$30 |
| 4 people | 29 | ~174 sq ft | ~42 | ~$58 |
| 6 people | 43 | ~258 sq ft | ~62 | ~$86 |
Spacing
24" in row · 36" between rows
Sow depth
0"
Days to harvest
120 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 29 – Jul 14 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 24 – Jul 9 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 14 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 4 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 19 – Jun 4 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 8 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 6 – Apr 21 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 14 – Apr 1 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Pick mature, deep-green leaves any time; older leaves carry more flavor than soft new growth.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~20 productive weeks (~0.25 lb).
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Bay Laurel cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Bay Laurel planting questions
How many bay laurel plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 8 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 29 plants, which takes around 174 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does bay laurel need?+
Space plants 24" apart in the row with 36" between rows. Sow 0" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant bay laurel?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing bay laurel worth it?+
At about $8.00/lb retail and ~0.25 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $58 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.