Growing Rosemary

Posted On April 2, 2020

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub with blue flowers. It is an aromatic and distinctive herb with a sweet, resinous flavor. This plant is ideal for a rock garden or the top of a dry stone wall. In warm areas with fair humidity, rosemary can grow into a shrub several feet in height. In fact, it grows so vigorously in ideal conditions that can become a bit of a burden, if not managed properly!

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.

Rosemary is often used for seasoning poultry, lamb, stews, and soups. It’s one of the best houseplants for your kitchen.

Planting

When to plant rosemary

For a head start, plant the seeds or cuttings indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. Seeds can take a long time to germinate, 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. It can grow to about 4 feet tall and spreads about 4 feet as well.
In the garden, plant near basil, cabbage, dill and sage.

How to plant rosemary

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

Care

How to grow plant rosemary

Water the plants evenly throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater.
Prune regularly so that the plant won’t get lanky.
For fresh rosemary in the winter, grow the plant indoors in a pot. Be sure to put it in bright light and protect it from cold drafts.
After the rosemary flowers, remember to trim the plant.
Be sure to get cuttings or divide the plant for next season if it won’t survive winter in your area.

Pests/Diseases

Aerial blight
Bacterial leaf spots
Several types of root rot

Harvest/Storage

How to harvest rosemary

Snip off stems to use fresh, or hang them in the kitchen for dried rosemary.
During the winter, bring potted rosemary plants inside.
Harvest young stems and leaves for the freshest taste.
Harvest up to a third of the rosemary at any one time, allowing the plant to replace its growth before taking more.