The laurel tree has captured human interest for millennia, symbolizing victory, honor, and peace across ancient cultures. Its aromatic evergreen leaves were woven into wreaths to crown poets and emperors. This cultural significance led to a widespread desire to cultivate the tree, introducing it across various continents. Determining where the laurel tree grows is a complex story of botany, climate, and human migration.
The Ambiguity of the “Laurel” Name
The term “laurel” is a common name applied to many botanically distinct plants, causing confusion for gardeners. Only one plant holds the title of “True Laurel”: Laurus nobilis, belonging to the aromatic Lauraceae family, which includes species like avocado and cinnamon.
Many other plants acquired the “laurel” name due to a superficial resemblance in leaf shape or texture. For instance, the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a member of the Ericaceae family. Similarly, the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) belongs to the Rosaceae family, making it unrelated to the true laurel. This wide application means the growing conditions for “laurel” species vary drastically.
The Native Range of the True Bay Laurel
The true Bay Laurel, Laurus nobilis, is an evergreen tree native only to the Mediterranean Basin. Its natural distribution extends across Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, including countries like Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Morocco. This region is characterized by mild, wet winters and long, hot, dry summers, a pattern known as the Mediterranean climate. The species has adapted to thrive in these conditions, demonstrating a high tolerance for drought once established.
In its native habitat, the Bay Laurel is often found in rocky ravines, coastal areas, and thickets, benefiting from good soil drainage. It prefers well-draining soil, ranging from loamy to sandy, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. The tree typically grows best in full sun to partial shade, favoring sheltered locations that protect it from harsh, cold winds and deep frosts. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can cause damage, limiting its outdoor cultivation in colder zones. In optimal native conditions, the Bay Laurel can grow into a tree reaching 30 to 60 feet in height.
Diverse Habitats of Non-Related “Laurel” Species
The diverse array of plants commonly called “laurel” demonstrates a vast geographical spread and wide range of environmental requirements. The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is native exclusively to Eastern North America, a region with a climate vastly different from the Mediterranean. Its native range stretches from southern Maine down to Florida and west to Louisiana, typically inhabiting mountainous forest areas and rocky slopes. This American species requires highly acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5) and thrives in cool, moist, humus-rich environments. The Mountain Laurel is a common component of oak-heath forests, contrasting sharply with the Bay Laurel’s preference for dry, coastal hillsides.
Another geographically specific American example is the California Laurel (Umbellularia californica), also known as Oregon Myrtle. This aromatic tree is native only to the Pacific Coast, specifically the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills of California and Southwestern Oregon. It is found in moist canyons, along stream edges, and within redwood forests, where it tolerates a variety of soils, including serpentine and clay. This species requires high water use and thrives in the cool, fog-laden conditions of the Pacific coast.
Finally, the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is native to a region bordering the Black Sea, encompassing Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia, including the Caucasus Mountains and parts of Turkey. This plant is remarkably tolerant of a wide range of conditions, growing well in full sun to deep shade and accepting most soil types. Its native range is characterized by temperate woodlands, allowing it to be widely cultivated across temperate zones globally. The vast differences in native ranges and specific environmental needs among these “laurel” species underscore the importance of recognizing their distinct botanical identities.