A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Herbs Bay leaf plant

Has anyone have tips for preparing a bay leaf plant for the winter? My Italian bay leaf plant just about survived last winter, and now I have been advised to protect it from the cold with industrial bubble wrap. Should I prune first? And will removing the leaves beforehand, for use in the winter, be bad for the plant? I live in Holland and the temperature sometimes goes down to - 10 degrees c ( 14 degrees F) or lower in a severe winter.

Welcome, RB. You did well to get your plant through its first winter. They really do not do well in heavy frosts for long periods. If you do not have it in a pot where you can move it indoors, I would definitely try protecting with bubble wrap or anything. You can prune to shape and for ease of wrapping. But do not take off all of the leaves. Do save the leaves from your pruning. You can also attempt a cutting from your pruning efforts.
Good luck!

One thing about insulation, it needs not to actually touch the tree or that will transmit the cold to the plant. I hope you have great luck with your tree. I'm keeping an avocado tree inside at my place. It can be a real trick.

Thanks for the advice an encouragement. I actually do have an older plant in a pot which is already indoors, but wanted to try growing this new one in a shaded place outside and let it benefit from the full soil.
I will take off a few side branches with leaves and wrap the plant carefully - and with a bit of luck I can unwrap a healthy plant next spring!

Good Luck, I look forward to hearing how you do.