This aromatic herb can grow in pots or in your garden with these simple methods.
Clusters of small, light blue to white flowers appear in spring and summer.
This is an easy-to-grow culinary herb, favored in cooking for its earthy, citrusy, and peppery taste.
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Container-grown rosemary can be planted any time of the year.
However, it goes dormant during the winter.
Where to Plant
Place rosemary in a sunny spot with sharp-draining soil.
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Rosemary also grows well in containers both outdoors and indoors, as long as it can get enough sunlight.
How to Plant
Space rosemary shrubs at least two to three feet apart.
Plant seedlings and nursery plants at the same depth at which they were growing in their previous container.
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Seeds should be just barely covered with soil when planting.
A support structure is typically not necessary for this shrub.
Rosemary Plant Care
Light
Rosemary likesfull sunand does not tolerate any shade.
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This means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.
A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growth, and grow lights are often necessary to provide supplemental light.
Bring indoor plants outside in warm weather to allow them access to natural sunlight.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Inadequate light can cause leggy and weak growth.
Soil
Use sandy or loamy soil for rosemary.
A slightly acidic to neutralsoil pHis ideal.
Water
Rosemary is quitedrought-tolerantonce established, and its better to water sparingly rather than overwater them.
Using amoisture metercan help.
Temperature and Humidity
This shrub likes warm weather and moderate humidity levels.
Most rosemary varieties cant survive temperatures below 30 degrees, but they have good heat tolerance.
They prefer temperatures between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.
Fertilizer
Rosemary is not a heavy feeder.
Mixing compost into the soil at the time of planting helps give the shrub a healthy start.
Then, use a balanced liquidfertilizer, following label instructions, to promote quality growth.
Pollination
Rosemary shrubs self-pollinate andattract bees and other pollinatorsto the garden.
Bring indoor plants outdoors in warm weather when their flowers are open to allow the blooms to naturally pollinate.
Pruning
Prune rosemaryas necessary to shape its growth after the plant is done flowering.
Rosemary responds well to pruning and can also be trained into topiary shapes.
Pruning Tip
Looking for the best pruners for your rosemary plant?
We tested10 top-rated prunersin our Lab to confirm your plant stays happy and healthy.
Propagating Rosemary
Propagate rosemarywith a cutting from a mature plant in the spring or summer.
Or, keep the cutting in a container of fresh water.
Either way, place the cutting in a warm, bright spot.
The cutting is ready fortransplantingafter roots form.
Rooting rosemary in water produces quicker but more delicate roots.
You’ll be better off getting a seedling from the grocery store or a big-box store.
Potting and Repotting Rosemary
Growing rosemary in pots allows you to bring it indoors during cold weather.
Keep containers on a patio or deck near your kitchen for easy access.
Select a pot thats slightly larger than the plants root ball.
verify it has drainage holes.
An unglazed clay container is best to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
Plan to repot every year into one container size up, using fresh potting mix.
The best time to repot is in the spring.
Overwintering
Bring rosemary indoorswell before any frost is predicted in the fall forecast.
Keep it in a warm room and away from any drafts or drying air from heat vents.
Continue providing it with at least six hours of sunlight per day via a bright window and/or grow light.
Back off slightly on watering in winter, though dont allow the soil to fully dry out.
Once frost is out of the forecast in the spring, the plant can go back outside.
Powdery mildew typically won’t kill a plant, but the disease will weaken it.
To prevent powdery mildew, ensure the plant’s soil isn’t too wet, and provide good airflow.
Also, be on the lookout foraphidsandspider mites, especially on indoor plants.
Use aninsecticidal soapas soon as you spot an infestation to prevent it from spreading.
Rosemary is an evergreen perennial and can live up to 10 years within its hardiness range.
Do not plant rosemary in any shade.
Rosemary doesn’t smell when its aromatic oils are dried up or diminished.
Feeding rosemary too much fertilizer may also diminish the plant’s fragrance.
Rosemary is a great houseplant.
It grows well in a container, is drought tolerant, and fairly pest resistant.
Harvest rosemary sprigs regularly to keep it from becoming woody.
