Red Bay
Persea borbonia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Persea borbonia, or red bay, is an evergreen tree that blooms from March through May and grows well in full sun with medium moisture, often found in coastal woodlands, swamp margins and maritime forests of the southeastern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Red Bay (Persea borbonia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Red Bay as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
144"–480" H × 300"–360" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 6 more states
Before you buy
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Red Bay is a medium to large evergreen tree native to southeastern Texas and the Gulf Coast. It produces small, fragrant yellow-green flowers in spring followed by dark blue berries. The tree has aromatic leaves and develops a rounded to oval crown with age.
Growing Red Bay
Grow Red Bay in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 144 to 480 inches tall and spread 300 to 360 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Red Bay takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
Red Bay supports native butterflies and moths as a host plant, particularly the Palamedes Swallowtail. The berries provide food for songbirds and other wildlife throughout fall and winter.
Common questions
- What light conditions does red bay prefer?
- Red bay grows best in full sun but tolerates part sun and part shade, which lets it establish in both open coastal sites and the edges of denser woodlands.
- How much water does Persea borbonia need?
- This tree does well with medium moisture but can handle wetter soils near swamp and marsh edges as well as drier upland sites, making it fairly adaptable once established.
- Does red bay lose its leaves in winter?
- No, Persea borbonia is evergreen and keeps its leathery, aromatic leaves throughout the year.
- When does red bay flower?
- Red bay produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spring, generally appearing from March through May.
- What does red bay look like when it blooms?
- The March to May flowers are small and pale, easy to overlook against the tree's glossy evergreen foliage.
- Is Red Bay toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Red Bay as toxic to livestock.
- Is Red Bay HOA-friendly?
- Red Bay takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Red Bay? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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