How to grow bay leaves at homeImage Credit source: getty image
Many types of spices and herbs are used in Indian kitchen, in which bay leaf is used to enhance the aroma in everything from pulao to many vegetables. In today’s time, even though people have started using curry leaves more in food, but the bay leaf part has been there since ancient times. It is also rich in many medicinal properties, hence it is used in many home remedies. You do not need much space to grow bay leaves, so you can easily grow it in a pot in your home. So let us know the way to grow it.
From fruits to vegetables and herbs, eating home grown things is a different pleasure. These are also organic, so there is no fear of harm caused by chemicals. Very few people grow spices at home, but many spices can be grown easily. Similarly, you can also plant bay leaf plant. So let us know in details.
Uses of bay leaf
Apart from enhancing the taste and aroma of food, it also helps in preventing many health problems. Bay leaf can be used. It is beneficial in problems like indigestion, flatulence, bloating etc. Apart from this, its bundle can be used to get relief from arthritis and nerve pain. Anti-inflammatory properties are found in it and it is also beneficial in controlling blood sugar, bad cholesterol and uric acid.
Bay leaf full of medicinal properties
Apart from its special aroma, bay leaf is also considered beneficial in Ayurveda due to its medicinal properties. National Library of Medicine According to, mainly flavonoids, tannins, eugenol, citric acid, carbohydrates, steroids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and essential oils are found in bay leaf. Apart from this, many vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, Calcium, Fiber, etc. are found in it.
Method of growing bay leaves
choose the right place
If you want to grow bay leaves at home, then first of all it is important that you choose a right place to keep its pot. Bay leaf plant grows well in tropical climate i.e. slightly hot weather. The pot of bay leaf should be kept at a place where it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. If installed inside the house, then the place near the open balcony, terrace or window is suitable.
Soil Preparation Tips
For the pot, you should mix 50 percent garden soil (fertile garden soil) and 25 percent cow dung manure or vermicompost. Apart from this, you should mix 10 percent coco peat and 15 percent sand.
Plant or sow bay leaf seeds
If you want to grow bay leaf in a pot, then the plant can be purchased directly from the nursery or it can be grafted, for which you will need a mature stalk, which has only three to four leaves. Make a cutting by cutting the stem obliquely near the node and then plant it in moist soil at a depth of two to three inches.
If you want to grow bay leaf plant from seeds, then soak the seeds in water the night before. After this, the next day you sow the seeds at a depth of about 1 inch. The soil should not be too wet. Just moisture is required for germination. These will grow in two to three weeks.
When is the right time to harvest?
When the bay leaf plant grows a little and you feel that it has grown so many leaves that it should be pruned from the bottom, then you can pluck some leaves, instead of throwing them away, dry them and use them or you can also use fresh ones.
If you want to pluck a lot of leaves and dry them, you will have to wait for the plant to be approximately 2 feet tall, which may take 8 months to 1 year. It depends on the care of the plant, how fast it is growing and how densely the leaves are growing.
The best way to harvest bay leaves is to break them with sharp scissors. It should be broken near the stem so that new leaves can grow there. You can also harvest the leaves with your hands, but do not pull them too much and break them.
A good way to dry it is to wash it, spread it on a paper towel and then spread it in an airy place to dry. One should avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Keep turning the leaves or they will dry up and be ready in 1 to 2 weeks. You can also make bunches by tying them with thread which can be hung and dried easily.
Bay Leaf Plant Care Tips
- The plant should be watered thoroughly, but keep in mind that this water should not stagnate in the pot. It is good for the soil to remain moist.
- Liquid fertilizer should be given to the plant once a month. Apart from this, yellowed leaves etc. should also be put in the soil of the pot.
- To keep the plant healthy, it should be pruned occasionally during its growth. For example, branches that are too thin should be removed.
- Pruning properly gives shape to the plant, making it denser, but do not pluck too many leaves at once.