If you have fresh seeds, growing a laurel tree from seeds in a pot is not difficult. I haven’t tried growing laurel yet, but this marvelous shrub is first in line to settle in my windowsill garden. You can grow a laurel tree from a cutting, but that’s significantly more challenging than starting with fresh seeds.
How to Grow a Laurel Tree from Seeds
- The main challenge in growing laurel is obtaining fresh
seeds. - If you have good seeds, soak them in warm water or Epin (a plant growth regulator). It’s recommended to clean the seeds of their husk—pericarp—as this protective layer slows down the sprouting process (uncleaned seeds might take up to five months to sprout).
- Sprouts are weak and modest in appearance, taking at least a month to emerge. For rooting, use moist sand. You can germinate a seed in a plastic cup—embed the cleaned and swollen seed in the moist sand and cover it with a film. Ensure the sand doesn’t dry out.
- The soil for laurel should also contain sand. Some suggest using a citrus mix, while others prefer planting in a mix for succulents.
Caring for a Laurel Tree
Laurel requires misting and abundant watering and tolerates pruning well, especially in the off-season, from August to September. During the hottest periods, it’s advised to water twice a day; many recommend watering generously, ensuring the entire root ball is moist.
Laurel needs fertilization and thrives in a sunny location. It doesn’t require a large pot, which is very convenient, but every three years, it’s advisable to transplant it into a slightly larger pot with a thick layer of expanded clay at the bottom.
Laurel is least tolerant of dry air (which is harmful to everyone, really); regular misting is essential in such conditions. Placing a water container in the room, decorated with rose petals or glass pebbles, creates a more humid environment. This not only benefits all the plants in the home but is good for you as well. Laurel is actively used in medicine , especially laurel essential oil .
In autumn, you should reduce watering, and during winter, it’s better to keep the laurel at a temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius. Be sure to prune your tree, as it can grow quite tall and will also bush out much better. A laurel tree can also become an impressive
bonsai
.
The chemical composition of laurel gives it many useful properties . A laurel shrub in the home is a true natural decoration. I definitely plan to get one for myself.
