BAY LEAF

SEASONALITY
➜ Available Year-Round

DESIGN TYPE
➜ Foliage, Greenery

VASE LIFE
➜ Long-Lasting

LEAF SIZE
➜ 1.5–2in

STEM LENGTH
➜ 70–120cm

➜ Bay leaf can comfortably remain dry-packed for up to 3 days, making it a dependable greenery for weddings and advance event production

➜ Give stems a fresh cut and hydrate for 2–3 hours before designing so the woody stems and foliage become fully conditioned

➜ Remove any foliage that will sit below the water line to help maintain clean buckets throughout conditioning

➜ Take advantage of the branching stems by separating them into smaller pieces before production—one stem often supplies greenery for several arrangements

➜ Bay leaf is beautiful in hand-tied bouquets, everyday vase arrangements, wreaths, sympathy tributes, elevated centerpieces, and European-inspired floral designs where natural texture and structure are equally important

➜ Mix bay leaf throughout the arrangement rather than greening one section at a time—the evenly spaced foliage creates a more balanced, intentional design

➜ If you're designing for an event, process your greenery first so it's fully hydrated before flowers begin arriving at the design table

➜ Reserve the cleanest, most symmetrical stems for highly visible areas, using smaller branches to soften mechanics and fill secondary spaces

➜ Hold onto trimmed side branches—they're often the perfect size for boutonnières, corsages, bud vases, and finishing touches

POSITIVES ➜
♡ Excellent longevity
♡ Beautiful natural texture
♡ Works across multiple design styles
♡ Light natural fragrance

NEGATIVES ➜
✗ Can occasionally be overlooked beside trendier greenery
✗ Availability may fluctuate seasonally
✗ Not particularly flashy
✗ Too mature to care about being flashy

Is this the same bay leaf used in cooking?
➜ Yes—it's the same species traditionally grown for culinary use, though florist-quality stems are intended for ornamental purposes rather than food preparation

Why do florists use bay leaf instead of more traditional greenery?
➜ Bay leaf offers clean lines, sturdy branching, and a refined garden feel that complements flowers without overpowering them

Does bay leaf have a fragrance?
➜ Yes—when the foliage is gently handled or bruised, it releases a sweet, citrusy aroma that some love, and some love to hate

How much bay leaf should I order for an event?
➜ A little goes a long way since the branching stems can be divided into multiple usable pieces throughout your recipes

What flowers pair especially well with bay leaf?
➜ Garden roses, ranunculus, lisianthus, helleborus, sweet peas, and other romantic flowers complement bay leaf's classic, understated character beautifully

☆ Excellent texture for garden-style and classic designs
☆ Provides structure without excessive visual weight
☆ Pairs beautifully with both flowers and foliage
☆ Offers exceptional longevity
☆ One of the most versatile greenery options available

☆ Garden Roses
☆ Dahlias
☆ Ranunculus
☆ Astilbe
☆ Scabiosa
☆ Delphinium
☆ Clematis

☆ Bay leaf comes from Laurus nobilis, an evergreen tree that's been cultivated for thousands of years for both ornamental and culinary use

☆ In ancient Greece and Rome, bay wreaths symbolized victory, achievement, and honor, inspiring the word "baccalaureate" through the tradition of wearing laurel crowns

☆ Designers appreciate bay leaf for its ability to provide polished greenery and subtle fragrance while blending effortlessly into both classic and contemporary floral styles