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Rosemary is an aromatic herb that is easy to grow. To grow rosemary, start by choosing a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the rosemary in the spring or fall, and water it regularly until it is established. Rosemary doesn’t require much fertilizer, but you can add some compost or organic matter to the soil to improve its fertility. Prune the rosemary regularly to keep it bushy and prevent it from getting leggy. Harvest the rosemary leaves as needed, and enjoy the fresh, fragrant flavor in your cooking.
Rosemary (​Salvia rosmarinus​, USDA plant hardiness zones 7-10) is a popular herb known for its distinctive taste and fragrance. It is an evergreen perennial that can grow up to 5 feet in height and width and produces flowers in early summer. Here’s how you can grow your own rosemary:
The fragrant leaves of rosemary are often used to add flavor to dishes such as roast chicken, lamb, fish, and stews. It is also a calming scent that is frequently used in aromatherapy.
Rosemary is not toxic to humans or pets, as long as it is grown without harmful chemicals. In fact, it has several health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Best Ways to Use Rosemary
Dried rosemary can be expensive at around $192 per pound, making it a smart idea to grow your own if you enjoy experimenting with rustic flavors in your cooking. Rosemary can be used to add flavor to many dishes, but it can also serve as a fragrant and colorful addition to your garden. It can be pruned into topiary shapes or used as a hedge.
How to Grow Rosemary
Here is what you need to know to grow rosemary:
- Common Name: Rosemary.
- Botanical Name: ​Salvia rosmarinus​.
- When to Plant: Wait until the last frost passes in spring.
- USDA Zones: 7-10.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun.
- Soil Type: Well-drained soil.
- Signs of a Problem: Wilting stems; yellow or brown leaves.
- Signs of a Healthy Plant: Produces woody stems; blooms in early summer.
Starting Rosemary From Seed
You can sow rosemary seeds outside as soon as the last frost in your area passes. To give your seeds a strong start, mix a 5-10-5 fertilizer into the soil where you intend to plant. Cover the seeds with about 1/2 inch of soil and space them 2 to 3 feet apart.
Water your seeds immediately after planting and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge. It is okay to sow more seeds than you need and thin out the plants later. If you want to start your seeds indoors, do so about 10 weeks before the last expected frost and gradually move them outside before planting.
Growing Rosemary: Starting from Seedlings or Cuttings
If you don’t want to start rosemary from seeds, you can opt for seedlings or cuttings. Cuttings are a quicker way to get started as you don’t have to wait for germination. However, both methods work well.
For purchased seedlings, plant them at the same depth as they are in their original containers and space them 2 to 3 feet apart. Ensure that the roots are fully covered in the soil for healthy growth.
For optimal growth, plant your seedlings outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the danger of frost has passed. They may grow slowly at first, but they will catch up as it gets warmer. Water your newly planted rosemary plants immediately after planting.
Best Growing Zones for Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen perennial shrub in USDA zones 8 through 11, and some plants can survive winters in zone 7. However, it doesn’t fare well in colder zones, so planting it in a container that can be moved indoors for the winter is ideal.
When to Plant Rosemary
The best time to plant rosemary is in the spring, allowing it to establish itself before the cooler temperatures of winter arrive. Ideally, the soil temperature should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above, but planting after the last frost is generally acceptable. Just beware of unexpected or late frosts that can harm young plants.
Soil, Sunlight, and Watering Tips for Rosemary
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Rosemary thrives in soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0 and requires good drainage. Adding organic matter like compost or peat moss can help improve heavy clay soil. Overwatering is the most common mistake made by gardeners, so make sure to avoid it. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and provide your plant with plenty of sun, ideally six to eight hours per day.
Prune out any dead wood and fertilize your rosemary with a 5-10-5 fertilizer every spring. Regular pruning also helps to keep the plant from getting too tall and spindly.
Propagating Rosemary
You can propagate rosemary from cuttings by taking 4 to 6 inches from the top of a stem after it has finished flowering in late spring or early summer. Remove the leaves from the bottom third of the stem and push it into soil or a soilless mix until it reaches the bottom set of leaves.
To encourage root growth in rosemary cuttings, you can use a rooting compound and press them into loose soil. It’s best to use a seed tray to give each cutting its own space and avoid tangled roots. Keep the soil moist until roots form and transfer the cuttings to larger pots if necessary, so they can grow indoors over winter. Come springtime, you can plant them outside.
If you live in an area with cold winters, you’ll need to bring your rosemary plant indoors to survive. Place it in a south-facing window to get enough sunlight, as indoor plants need a lot of light to thrive. If you plan to move your outdoor plants inside, make sure you start them in containers in the spring, rather than planting them in the ground.
Harvesting rosemary is easy; simply cut off a few sprigs and pluck off individual leaves, or use the entire stem for flavoring. You can take up to a third of the plant when harvesting, but allow it to grow back before harvesting from it again. Woody stems are ideal for using as skewers for meat, as they infuse the food with rosemary flavor.
Rosemary is not often bothered by pests, but aphids and spider mites can be controlled with water or insecticidal soap. Powdery mildew is a common disease, especially when growing indoors, but it can be cured with neem oil spray. Aerial blight and root rot can be caused by excessive watering or poor drainage, so make sure your plant is drying thoroughly between waterings.
Rosemary plants can be affected by two diseases – Botrytis and bacterial leaf spot. One is caused by fungus while the other is bacterial. However, good garden hygiene practices can prevent both diseases. Weeding the area, removing dead leaves, and avoiding wet conditions in the garden can help. In case of severe infections, a copper fungicide spray can help control both diseases. For minor infections, snipping off the affected stems can prevent further spreading.
FAQ
1. How do I grow rosemary indoors?
To successfully grow rosemary indoors, you will need a sunny spot near a window with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Choose a well-draining pot with good airflow and fill it with a mixture of potting soil and sand. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, but be careful not to overwater as rosemary prefers slightly dry conditions. Prune the plant regularly to encourage bushier growth and harvest the leaves as needed. Remember to fertilize the rosemary plant every couple of months to provide it with essential nutrients.
2. When is the best time to plant rosemary outdoors?
The best time to plant rosemary outdoors is in the spring after the last frost has passed. Rosemary prefers warm weather and well-draining soil, so choose a sunny location with good airflow. Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant and gently place the rosemary in the hole. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the plant. Water the rosemary thoroughly after planting and continue to water it regularly until the plant becomes established. Mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
3. How do I propagate rosemary?
Rosemary can be propagated through stem cuttings. Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy rosemary plant, making sure to remove any leaves from the bottom half. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to encourage root growth. Plant the cutting in a mixture of perlite and peat moss, or a well-draining potting mix. Place the cutting in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Mist the cutting regularly to maintain humidity and wait for roots to develop, which can take around 4-6 weeks. Once the roots are established, transplant the cutting into a larger pot or into the garden.