Rosemary adds a woodsy, energizing aroma and savory, herbaceous flavor to any dish.
But this Mediterranean plant requires protection and special care to make it through the winter in very cold climates.
Gardeners in colder zones that regularly experience temperatures below 10oF in winter mustbring plants indoorsor seek out cold-hardy cultivars.
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With a little maintenance and the right conditions, yourrosemary plantwill survive the winter to thrive next season.
Here’s how to care for rosemary in winter, whether in containers or in the ground.
Watering
Plan to reduce or stop watering rosemary plants in winter.
These plants require extremely well-drained soil, and overly wet or waterlogged soil can cause fatal root rot.
Fertilizing
Avoid fertilizing rosemary plants in fall or winter.
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Instead, plan to dry or freeze enough rosemary to use through the winter.
Harvest no later than a few weeks before your region gets its first frost in the fall.
The additional root protection can help rosemary survive the winter’s coldest temperatures in USDA zones 5 and 6.
This positioning can help retain protective heat while providing sufficient light for the plant.
This will give your plant several weeks to acclimate to its new pot before you bring it indoors.
Be sure to use a very well-drained potting mix with plenty of perlite or coarse sand for drainage.
However, you may need to install a grow light to provide your plant with sufficient light.
Rosemary Winter Care Tips
Most rosemary varieties cannot survive temperatures below about 10oF.
However, cold-hardy rosemary cultivar Arp can withstand temperatures down to -10oF.
Rosemary can grow back every year if cared for properly.
It is perennial in USDA zones 7 through 10 and will grow back if planted there.
Easy Gardening: Rosemary.Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Getting Rosemary Through a Colorado Springs Winter.Colorado State University Extension.
Rosemary: The herb with winter problems.MSU Extension.
