treeN. America Native

Redbay

Persea borbonia

The Story

Plant Bio

Persea borbonia, the redbay, is an evergreen tree native to the coastal plains of the southeastern United States, forming a dense, rounded crown of aromatic, leathery foliage. The inconspicuous, yellowish-green spring flowers are followed by dark blue drupes that serve as a critical food source for native songbirds and game birds.

This species is distinguished by its lanceolate leaves that emit a spicy, bay-like fragrance when crushed, and by the rusty, reddish pubescence coating its young twigs and buds. It serves as an essential larval host plant for the Palamedes swallowtail and spicebush swallowtail butterflies.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense, evergreen canopy with aromatic foliage and decorative blue-black fruits.

Highly tolerant of salt spray and temporary flooding, making it excellent for coastal stabilization.

Crucial larval host for swallowtail butterflies and a vital winter food source for forest birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

826"

Width

590"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium to wet

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Moderate

Native To

Southeastern United States, Bahamas

Toxicity

Non-toxic (culinary use, but beware lookalikes)

Bloom period

Spring – Early summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with moist, acidic to neutral soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the root flare sits level with the soil surface.
Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle the roots, and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain moisture.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, resilient root system.

Pro Tip

Avoid heavy pruning, as fresh pruning wounds release volatile compounds that attract the redbay ambrosia beetle, which is the vector for the fatal laurel wilt disease.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells while the tree is establishing.
Apply an organic mulch around the base to mimic the natural forest floor and conserve moisture.
Monitor the trunk and branches regularly for tiny entry holes or sawdust tubes indicating beetle activity.

Don't

Do not prune heavily or unnecessarily, as open wounds invite wood-boring insect vectors.
Do not transport firewood or raw wood from redbay trees, which spreads the destructive laurel wilt pathogen.
Do not plant in highly alkaline soils where the foliage is prone to chlorosis.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rain gardensCoastal windbreaksNative wildlife gardensScreening and privacy hedges

Companion Plants

Morella cerifera Taxodium distichum Ilex vomitoria

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Redbay questions

What zones can Redbay grow in?

Redbay is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Redbay deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Redbay, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Redbay bloom?

Redbay typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Redbay need full sun?

Redbay does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Redbay drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Redbay handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.