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Bay Laurel · Laurus nobilis

Why are there bumps on my Bay Laurel leaves?

If you see small, brown, or tan bumps on your Bay Laurel stems and leaves, you likely have scale insects. These pests suck the sap from your plant and can weaken it over time. Check the undersides of the leaves and along the stems for these tiny invaders.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for small bumps.
  2. Check stems for sticky residue or white cottony patches.
  3. Isolate the plant from others to prevent spreading.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: Look for small, immobile, shell like bumps that you can scrape off with a fingernail. They often leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Gently scrape the insects off with a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, spray the entire plant with horticultural oil or neem oil every 7 to 10 days until they are gone.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These look like small, white, cottony masses tucked into the leaf axils or along the stems. They also suck sap and cause yellowing.

    What to do: Dab the cottony spots with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill them on contact. Rinse the plant with a gentle stream of water to remove any remaining residue.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your bay laurel

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

You should worry if the plant begins to lose leaves or shows stunted growth. A few isolated bumps are easy to manage, but a full infestation requires immediate action.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant healthy with proper light and airflow, and inspect it every time you water to catch pests early.

Bay Laurel: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bay laurel and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I use these leaves for cooking if I have pests?
It is best to discard any leaves that have been infested. Once the plant is treated and pest free for several weeks, new growth will be safe to use.
Why do my leaves feel sticky?
The stickiness is honeydew, a sugary waste product excreted by scale and other sap sucking insects. It is a clear sign that pests are feeding on your plant.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Bay Laurel

Back to the Bay Laurel guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.