Herb
Can you grow Bay Laurel on a balcony?
Laurus nobilis
Yes — great in containers
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) grows well on a balcony in a suitable container. It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Evergreen — pick leaves year-round as needed for cooking. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Water
Low
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
USDA 8+ (grow in a container in Zone 7 and below, bringing it indoors over winter)
Container fit
Excellent
Sow
Plant in a warm, sheltered, sunny or partly shaded spot in well-drained compost; slow-growing, so it can stay in the same pot for years
Harvest
Evergreen — pick leaves year-round as needed for cooking
Good companions: Grown as a standalone potted/topiary specimen rather than a companion crop
Balcony tip: Bay thrives in containers if watered moderately (over-watering damages roots); raise the pot on feet or bricks for drainage, and protect foliage from frost and cold winds as it only withstands to about -5°C
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What size pot does Bay Laurel need?
Container size for Bay Laurel isn't specified by our sources for a single value — as a rule, give roots room and don't let a small pot dry out. Check the linked RHS/Almanac page.
How much sun does Bay Laurel need on a balcony?
Bay Laurel wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Bay Laurel?
Plant in a warm, sheltered, sunny or partly shaded spot in well-drained compost; slow-growing, so it can stay in the same pot for years. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Bay Laurel
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Bay Laurel
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.