Understanding Bay Laurel vs. Skip Laurel: Key Differences

A practitioner once brought a sprig of glossy green leaves to a ritual, certain it was bay laurel. The smoke from the incense turned acrid, the scent wrong. The leaves came from a Prunus laurocerasus hedge, not from Laurus nobilis. Bay laurel and skip laurel are not the same plant, and only one has a place in magical work. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is the true laurel of Apollo, victory, and purification. Skip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) is a toxic ornamental shrub with no history in occult tradition. Using the wrong leaf can ruin a spell or cause harm.

What Exactly Are Bay Laurel and Skip Laurel?

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a Mediterranean evergreen tree or shrub from the family Lauraceae. Its leaves are the classic bay leaves used in cooking and magic: dark green, leathery, with a strong aromatic scent when crushed. The tree can grow to 10–18 meters tall. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and has been cultivated since antiquity.

Skip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) is a cultivar of cherry laurel, a species in the Rosaceae family (the rose family). It is a fast-growing evergreen shrub, often used for hedges in landscaping. Its leaves are similar in shape to bay laurel but are lighter green, glossier, and have a faint almond scent when crushed. The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides, which release hydrogen cyanide when damaged. Every part of skip laurel is toxic to humans and animals.

The key difference is botanical family and chemical composition. Bay laurel is safe and edible (in small amounts). Skip laurel is poisonous. That alone settles the question for any magical practitioner who values safety.

Where Did Each Laurel Come From? A History of Confusion

Bay laurel appears in the earliest written records of Western magic. The ancient Greeks dedicated it to Apollo, the god of prophecy, music, and healing. The priestess of Apollo at Delphi chewed bay leaves before delivering oracles, though scholars debate whether this was literal or symbolic (Plutarch, De defectu oraculorum, c. 100 CE). The Pythian Games, held at Delphi every four years, awarded winners a wreath of bay laurel. Roman generals wore bay laurel crowns during triumphs. Pliny the Elder (Natural History, 77 CE) described bay laurel as a protector against lightning and as an ingredient in antidotes.

Skip laurel has no such pedigree. The species Prunus laurocerasus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. The ‘Schipkaensis’ cultivar was developed in the 19th century, named after the Shipka Pass in Bulgaria. It was imported to England and North America as a hardy, fast-growing hedge plant. No ancient grimoire mentions it. No folk tradition uses it for protection, divination, or purification. It is a modern garden shrub, nothing more.

The confusion arises because both plants are called “laurel” in common English. But the name is a misnomer for skip laurel. True laurel belongs to the genus Laurus. Cherry laurel belongs to Prunus, the same genus as cherries, plums, and almonds. The almond scent of crushed skip laurel leaves is a warning sign: it comes from cyanide.

What Does Each Laurel Symbolize? The Magical Weight of Names

Bay laurel carries a dense symbolic history. In Greek mythology, Apollo pursued the nymph Daphne, who prayed to be saved and was transformed into a bay laurel tree (Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8 CE). Apollo then adopted the laurel as his sacred plant. From that story, bay laurel came to symbolize victory, honor, and poetic inspiration. In Roman culture, a laurel wreath was the highest civic and military award. In medieval European magic, bay leaves were used for protection against evil, for divination, and for attracting success. The leaves were burned to purify a space, placed under pillows to induce prophetic dreams, and carried as talismans for exams or court cases.

Skip laurel has no established symbolism in any magical tradition. Its association is purely horticultural. If it appears in modern witchcraft books, it is usually as a cautionary note: “Do not substitute cherry laurel for bay laurel.” The plant’s toxicity gives it a symbolic weight of danger and deception, but that is not a traditional meaning. It is a warning, not a tool.

How Are They Used in Practice? One Leaf Works, the Other Does Not

Bay laurel is one of the most versatile herbs in Western folk magic. Here are the primary uses, all documented in grimoires and folk practice:

• Purification incense: Burn dried bay leaves alone or with frankincense to cleanse a space. The smoke is dense and aromatic. We light ours in a fireproof bowl on a stone windowsill.
• Protection sachets: Combine bay leaves with rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Sew into a red flannel bag. Carry it or hang it above a door.
• Divination: Write a question on a bay leaf, then burn it. Watch the smoke for shapes. Or place a leaf under your pillow before sleep to receive answers in dreams.
• Victory and success: Carry a whole bay leaf in your wallet or shoe before a job interview or court appearance. Students in medieval universities pinned bay leaves to their caps before exams.
• Wreaths and garlands: A bay laurel wreath hung on the door wards off harm. The tradition dates to Roman times, when bay branches were hung to repel lightning and disease.

Skip laurel has no established magical uses. Some modern practitioners might experiment with it, but the risks outweigh any imagined benefit. The cyanogenic compounds can cause nausea, dizziness, and respiratory failure if burned in an enclosed space. The smoke is not cleansing; it is toxic. We do not recommend using skip laurel in any ritual context.

How Do Bay Laurel and Skip Laurel Compare to Other “Laurels”?

The word “laurel” is applied loosely to many plants. Besides bay and skip, you may encounter:

• California laurel (Umbellularia californica): Also called Oregon myrtle. Its leaves are similar to bay but stronger. Used by some Native American tribes for headaches and rituals, but it contains umbellulone, which can cause headaches and respiratory irritation. Not a direct substitute for bay.
• Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia): Highly toxic. Contains grayanotoxins. No magical history. Avoid entirely.
• Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): The species that includes skip laurel. All cultivars are toxic. No traditional magical use.

Bay laurel is the only true magical laurel. If a spell calls for “laurel leaves,” it means Laurus nobilis. Any other plant is a substitution that may fail or harm.

What Are the Common Misconceptions About These Laurels?

“All laurels are the same.” No. Bay laurel is in the avocado family (Lauraceae). Skip laurel is in the rose family (Rosaceae). They are as different as an apple and an avocado.

“Skip laurel can be used in a pinch.” No. Its toxicity makes it unsafe for burning, ingestion, or even prolonged skin contact. The sap can cause dermatitis.

“Bay laurel and culinary bay leaves are different.” They are the same. The dried bay leaves sold in grocery stores are Laurus nobilis. However, some “bay leaves” sold in Asian markets may be from Cinnamomum species (Indian bay leaf or tejpat), which have a different flavor and magical profile. Always check the botanical name.

“Skip laurel is just a hedge; it has no magical properties.” Correct. It has no history of use in any magical tradition. Its only property is toxicity.

FAQ

Can I use skip laurel in a protection spell if I have no bay laurel? No. Skip laurel is toxic and has no protective history. Use rosemary, sage, or juniper instead.

How can I tell bay laurel from skip laurel by sight? Bay laurel leaves have a wavy edge and a strong, spicy scent when crushed. Skip laurel leaves are smoother, glossier, and smell like bitter almonds. Bay laurel leaves are also thicker and more leathery.

Is it safe to burn bay laurel indoors? Yes, in moderation. Bay laurel smoke is not toxic. But like any incense, use in a well-ventilated area. Do not burn large quantities.

Can I grow bay laurel indoors for magical use? Yes. Bay laurel can be grown in a pot indoors if given enough light. It is slow-growing but hardy. Skip laurel is not suitable for indoor growing due to its size and toxicity.

The Leaf You Choose Matters

Bay laurel carries the weight of two thousand years of magical practice. Skip laurel carries only cyanide. When a spell calls for laurel, reach for Laurus nobilis. Your practice will be safer, more effective, and connected to a lineage that stretches from Delphi to your own altar. For more on working with magical herbs, see our guide to materia magica. If you need to identify other toxic plants, our glossary of poisonous botanicals is a good next step. And for a deeper look at bay laurel’s role in divination, read Bay Laurel in Prophetic Dreams.