Little Ragu® Sweet Bay

Big Mediterranean flavor in a compact, space-saving package — fresh bay leaves year-round from a beautiful evergreen that fits any patio, balcony, or sunny window.

Little Ragu® Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis 'Little Ragu') is a compact, upright selection of the classic Bay Laurel, bred to deliver all the culinary and ornamental value of the full-size tree in a more manageable size. The deep green, aromatic leaves pop against attractive reddish stems — as good-looking as it is useful. Harvest fresh bay leaves any time to bring bold, savory flavor to soups, sauces, braises, and stocks. Beyond the kitchen, it's a handsome evergreen that takes well to formal shaping as a topiary, a low hedge, or a container specimen for patios and sunny windows.

What I love about it

Little Ragu is the herb garden plant that earns its spot on looks alone — and then pays you back in the kitchen. The compact size makes it ideal for small spaces where a full-size Bay Laurel would overwhelm. It thrives in containers, which means you can move it indoors in cold climates and keep fresh bay leaves within reach year-round. The reddish stems against the deep green foliage give it a distinctive, ornamental quality that most herb plants lack. Grow it as a formal topiary, a low hedge, or just let it do its handsome thing in a pot by the kitchen door.

Plant Care Tips

• ☀️ Light: Full sun to part shade — best growth and fragrance in full sun
• 💧 Water: Drought-tolerant once established; allow soil to dry between waterings
• 🌡️ Temperature: Hardy to 10°F (Zone 7); bring containers indoors below 20°F
• 🪴 Difficulty: Easy — low-maintenance and long-lived
• 🐾 Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities
• ✂️ Pruning: Shear anytime to maintain shape; takes formal pruning beautifully

Plant Specs

• Mature Size: 2–4 ft tall (compact selection)
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
• Foliage: Deep green aromatic leaves; reddish stems; evergreen
• Harvest: Fresh leaves available year-round
• Growing Zone: 7–10 outdoors; container-friendly in all zones

Bloom bold. Be cheeky.