As a spice and medicinal plant, the laurel, which comes from the Near East and the Mediterranean, is, like many other herbs, relatively undemanding. If you want to fertilize the laurel for an even richer harvest, you should do so with caution.
How should you properly fertilize laurel?
To properly fertilize laurel, remove the top layer of soil in March or April and add a mixture of herb soil and compost. Consider using a molasses-based organic liquid fertilizer, but note that bay roots are s alt sensitive and should be fertilized sparingly.
Location and care for the real laurel
The real laurel (Laurus nobilis) loves warmth and sunlight, so you should choose a location that is as sunny and as lightly shaded as possible when planting it. Since the plant can only be overwintered outdoors in very mild locations in this country, it is advisable to grow it in a pot. With regular pruning, a laurel bush can be kept well under control, which means it can also be grown on the balcony. The real laurel can tolerate drought for a few days, but it should be watered regularly, especially when grown in a pot, because it prefers a sandy substrate.
The need for fertilization for the laurel
When planting as a laurel hedge in the garden, special fertilizer can usually be dispensed with. In contrast, the nutrients in potted plants are easily washed out with the irrigation water, so adding nutrients and minerals can make sense here. Brown leaves on laurel are not necessarily a sign of a nutrient deficiency, but are in most cases due to the fine roots drying out. Please note that a laurel tree needs a certain amount of care in the form of regular watering even during the winter.
Fertilize the laurel very sparingly and to a limited extent
The roots of the laurel are sensitive to s alt, which is why you should use commercially available complete fertilizers very sparingly. The following procedure is better:
- Removing the top layer of soil around the trunk in March or April
- Applying a mixture of herb soil and compost
- Possibly use an organic liquid fertilizer (€13.00 on Amazon)
A molasses-based fertilizer is generally good for laurel plants if it is used sparingly in the growth phase between April and August.
Tips & Tricks
You can improve the conditions of your laurel bushes right from the start if you provide the right potting soil in the pot or bed. Ideally, it should be a sandy and humus-rich substrate that does not encourage waterlogging.
