I found them easy to keep alive, although inclined to devolping scale.

The scale doesn't seem to be a problem when they are outside. I've been spraying mine with hort oil a couple of times a winter. That has worked well, though it's a bit of a job since the bay tree is about 15 years old now. I haven't looked at it since DH and DD attacked it for the materials for laurel wreaths for the boys at her birthday party last weekend. It probably looks better for a hard pruning.