Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Nepal, Southern Asia, Southern Europe
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States
Types
Myristica fragrans
Cherry laurel, California Bay Laurel, Spotted laurel
Habitat
Cold Regions, Hills, Hillside
Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-11
5-9
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
-
White, Ivory
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Brown
Orange Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Copper
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Silver
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan, Silver
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Green, Yellow green, Tan
Plant Season
All year
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Medium
Medium
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Budding, Seedlings
Grafting, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
Do Not over Water, occasional watering once established
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
In Early Autumn, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove dead leaves
Prune for shortening long shoots, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
fertilize in spring, Nitrogen
fertilize in growing season
Pests and Diseases
Anthracnose, Armillaria mellea, Blight, Caterpillars, Crown gall, Crown rot, fungus, Powdery mildew, Red blotch
Beetles, Fusarium wilt, Rust, Scab
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Frost
Drought, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Medium
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Attracts
Aphids, Bees, Beetles, Caterpillar, Small mammals
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Abdominal distension, flushing of face, hallucinations, Headache, Pollen
allergic conjunctivitis, Nausea, wheezing
Aesthetic Uses
-
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin and hair
For treating wrinkles, Hair Conditioner, Making cosmetics
Edible Uses
Yes
Sometimes
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Amazing growth rate, Erosion control, Food for birds, Food for insects, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Windbreak
Air purification, Indoor Air Purification, Insect Repellent
Medicinal Uses
Anemia, anti-cancer, Antispasmodic, Asthma, Diarrhea, Healing, Stomach spasms, Thoat infection
Acne, Cancer, Diarrhea, Emollient, Migraines, Oral health, treating poison ivy
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
Flowers, Leaf Stalks, Stem
Other Uses
Making deodorants, Oil is used for aromatherapy, Oil is used in mosquito repellents, Used as a laxative, Used for its medicinal properties, Used for making soaps, Used in biomass
Cosmetics, Culinary use, Florist trade and landscaping, Making Perfumes, Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Groundcover
Feature Plant, Foundation, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
Myristica fragrans
Laurus nobilis
Common Name
Nutmeg
Sweetbay
In Hindi
जायफल
Laurus nobilis
In German
Muskatnuss
Echter Lorbeer
In French
noix de muscade
Laurus nobilis
In Spanish
nuez moscada
Laurus nobilis
In Greek
μοσχοκάρυδο
Laurus nobilis
In Portuguese
noz-moscada
Loureiro
In Polish
gałka muszkatołowa
Wawrzyn szlachetny
In Latin
nutmeg
Laurus nobilis
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Magnoliales
Laurales
Family
Poaceae
Magnoliaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Myrteae
Epidendreae
Subfamily
Myrtoideae
Epidendroideae
Importance of Nutmeg and Sweetbay
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Nutmeg and Sweetbay. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Nutmeg and Sweetbay as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Nutmeg is Anemia, anti-cancer, Antispasmodic, Asthma, Diarrhea, Healing, Stomach spasms and Thoat infection whereas of Sweetbay is Acne, Cancer, Diarrhea, Emollient, Migraines, Oral health and treating poison ivy. Nutmeg has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin and hair while Sweetbay has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin and hair.
Compare Facts of Nutmeg vs Sweetbay
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Nutmeg vs Sweetbay and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Nutmeg are Abdominal distension, flushing of face, hallucinations, Headache and Pollen whereas of Sweetbay have allergic conjunctivitis, Nausea and wheezing respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Nutmeg has no showy fruits and Sweetbay has no showy fruits. Also Nutmeg is not flowering and Sweetbay is not flowering . You can compare Nutmeg and Sweetbay facts and facts of other plants too.