Little Ragu® Sweet Bay

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-8 Feet

Mature Spread

6-8 Feet

Growing Zones

8 to 11

Little Ragu Sweet Bay packs rich, classic bay flavor into a compact form that suits patios, doorways, and small gardens. Deep green, aromatic leaves on tidy, upright stems make it as handsome as it is useful in the kitchen. Keep it clipped as a neat cone or let it grow naturally for an elegant, evergreen accent.

This selection stays smaller than standard sweet bay, so it’s easy to manage in containers or as a low hedge. Subtle yellow spring blooms and reddish new stems add seasonal detail, while the foliage holds its polished look year-round. Harvest a few leaves at a time and dry them for soups and sauces.

Little Ragu Sweet Bay Care

Give 6–8 hours of sun; light afternoon shade is welcome in hot-summer climates. Plant in well-drained loam or a premium potting mix; target pH 6.0–7.5 and avoid waterlogged spots. Water when the top 1–2 inches are dry, then soak thoroughly and let excess drain. Feed in early spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer; in containers, supplement with a liquid feed every 6–8 weeks through late summer.

Prune after the spring flush or again in late summer to maintain shape; remove dead or crossing wood anytime. Hardy in Zones 8–10; in colder zones, grow in a container and overwinter in a bright, cool room above 40°F. If trained as a standard or if grafted, keep the graft union above the soil line and remove any shoots that sprout below it. For culinary use, harvest leaves from Laurus nobilis only and remove whole leaves before serving.

Little Ragu Sweet Bay Spacing

Specimen: allow 3–4 feet of width and plant 3–5 feet from paths or walls for airflow and pruning access. Hedge: space 24–36 inches on center; trim lightly 2–3 times per growing season for a dense, formal edge. Containers: start with a 12–16 inch wide pot, upsizing to 18–20 inches as roots fill; ensure large drainage holes and use pot feet or a riser. Place outdoor containers 2–3 feet from sunny walls; indoors, set 1–2 feet from a south or west window and rotate monthly for even growth. Young standards may need a single stake their first windy season.

Why Grow Little Ragu Sweet Bay?

• Compact, container-friendly size with the classic bay flavor you love
• Evergreen structure and tidy, upright habit for year-round polish
• Versatile for hedges, topiary forms, or natural shapes
• Low-maintenance and drought tolerant once established, with simple seasonal pruning
• Aromatic leaves you can harvest fresh and dry for the kitchen

Bring home this space-saving bay that works hard in recipes and looks refined on the patio. Little Ragu delivers form, fragrance, and flavor in one easy, evergreen package.