Rosemary Info and Care

Rosemary is a versatile herb, providing evergreen interest all year round, fragrant leaves for use in cooking, and nectar-rich flowers for bees in spring. Grow rosemary along a path, so every time you brush past, the leaves release their aromatic oils.

Hailing from the Mediterranean, rosemary thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. It can struggle in heavy clay soils, particularly in winter, when the ground tends to be wetter. You can grow rosemary in pots, but bear in mind this perennial herb can grow quite big, and will need potting on in fresh compost every couple of years.

How to grow rosemary at home

Grow rosemary in well-drained soil in full sun. Young plants can suffer if their roots are sitting in wet soil in winter, so it’s a good idea to grow rosemary in a container for a couple of years before planting into the garden. Cut back annually to prevent the plant from becoming woody, and mulch in autumn with leaf mould, well-rotted compost or manure.

Plant rosemary in spring or autumn. Although rosemary is frost-hardy, the combination of cold and waterlogging can kill immature plants. With this in mind, choose a well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. If you have a cold clay soil, dig in lots of bark, grit or leaf mould to improve drainage. Alternatively, grow rosemary in a pot.

Caring for Rosemary:

Rosemary requires little maintenance during the year except cutting back after flowering to prevent plants becoming straggly and woody. Save the trimmings to propagate new plants or dry them for cooking.

Rosemary does well in containers in a soil-based, peat-free compost. Add crocks to the bottom of pots to aid drainage. Keep rosemary plants well watered during dry spells and feed with a general fertiliser during the growing season. In cold winters, bring plants under cover for protection. Harvest rosemary by gently pulling small sprigs away from the main stem. You can also use secateurs to remove large branches of rosemary, for roasting.

This herb can be grown outdoors as a perennial shrub in Zones 7 and warmer. In colder areas, it should be kept in a pot and brought indoors for the winter.

When to Plant Rosemary

Rosemary can be grown from seed, but germination rates are generally quite low and seedlings are slow to grow. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to start new rosemary plants from cuttings taken from established plants. Cuttings grow quickly in good conditions and should be ready for outdoor planting in about 8 weeks.

For a head start, plant the seeds or cuttings indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. (See your local frost dates.)

Note: Seeds can take a long time to germinate (2 to 3 weeks), so don’t give up right away!

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site

Plant in full sun.

The planting site should have well-draining soil. Rosemary won’t tolerate being consistently wet.

Be sure to give your plants enough room to grow. Once established, rosemary can eventually grow to about 4 feet tall and spread about 4 feet as well.

In the garden, plant near beans, cabbage, carrots, and sage. Learn more about companion planting with herbs.

How to Plant Rosemary

Plant seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil. For best growth, the soil temperature should be around 70ºF (21°C).