Side by side

Bay laurel or bay willow? How to tell them apart

Laurus nobilis · Salix pentandra

How to tell them apart – bay laurel: evergreen shrub with an untoothed leaf that smells of the kitchen; bay willow: willow with a broad, very glossy leaf that smells of bay, it flowers late, in May–June.

Updated on 10 October 2026

Photo: Walther Otto Müller, Public domain · source

Bay laurel Laurus nobilis

Photo: Credits : This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. Please credit the ar, Public domain · source

Bay willow Salix pentandra

How do you recognise them?

Bay laurel: Evergreen shrub with leathery, wavy leaves that smell strongly of herbs: the bay leaf from the kitchen.; Compared with bay willow: evergreen shrub with an untoothed leaf that smells of the kitchen.
Bay willow: Willow with a broad, very glossy leaf that smells of bay; it flowers late, in May–June.

Bay laurel and bay willow side by side
	Bay laurel	Bay willow
Leaves	Alternate, 5–10 cm, narrowly oval, untoothed with a wavy edge, dark green and leathery; gives off a strong, herby scent as soon as it is crushed.	Alternate, 5–12 cm, elliptic with a short pointed tip, finely gland-toothed; glossy dark green above as if varnished, paler below. Young leaves sticky and aromatic. Small glands at the top of the leaf stalk.
Flowering	Small, yellowish-white flowers in clusters in April; separate male and female plants (March–April).	Yellow catkins, with five stamens per flower, in May–June, after the leaves have opened (May–June).
Fruit	Glossy black berries (1 cm) on female plants.	The fluffy seeds are released only in late summer; the spent catkins often hang on into winter.
Bark	Smooth, dark grey to greenish.	Grey-brown, later shallowly furrowed; twigs glossy reddish-brown, as if varnished.
Shape and height	Shrub, 2–8 m	Broadleaf tree, 5–10 m, often shrubby
Site	Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal	Full sun, acid soil, moist to wet
Native to Belgium	No, planted	Yes
Good for bees, butterflies and birds	Yes, for bees	–
Poisonous to people and pets	Not known to be poisonous	Not known to be poisonous
Pruning months	May–June and August	November–March

What does it mean for your garden?

Bay willow is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.

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This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.