Growing rosemary, this wonderfully aromatic herb is vital in many kitchens. It has long narrow leaves, and colorful flowers. In the right conditions it can be a very hearty herb to grow. Some even grow them into hedges. They make beautiful additions to landscaping, while also adding a beautiful aroma to the air.
Tips For Growing Rosemary
- *Starting from seed is a slow process. Buying plants, instead is a great way to start out.*
- Buy bigger plants rather than buying the small 1 or 2 inches. Rosemary is a slow grower, especially in thefirst year. In early spring, stores will be selling the larger rosemary plants. They usually sell out pretty quickly, so make sure to grab as many as you need or want. They usually run about $15-$20.
- Buy bigger plants rather than buying the small 1 or 2 inches. Rosemary is a slow grower, especially in the
- *Soil should be well draining*, and have a pH of 5 to 8.
- Water only when the soil is dry. Over watering can create root rot.
- During the spring and summer is the best time to harvest. Don’t harvest too much before winter begins. This will give the plant time to recuperate after the harvest.
- *The pretty blue, pink, or purple flowers are *edible* and are great in a salad!
- Air circulation is very important for rosemary. Poor air circulation could cause powdery mildew.
Be sure to see Growing Basil
Everything You Need to Know About Growing Rosemary
Rosemary will have different needs depending on where you live. We’ll go over that, plus possible diseases, insects, how to harvest, and more!
In Hot Climates
If you live in a hot climate, Rosemary will need to be placed in an area with partial shade. It can’t take the full strength of the sun all day in a hot climate. I placed mine in a fairly shady area on the porch and it’s thriving.
In Cold Climates
Since rosemary doesn’t love temperatures that are below 30ºF or so, keeping them in pots is the best way to grow them in a colder climate. Rosemary will love being in the full sun during the spring and summer. Bring the plants indoors, several weeks before the first frost. They will enjoy a good potting soil that is well draining. Air circulation is also important for this plant, especially while being grown indoors. Keep a fan on, to keep the air moving.
How to Harvest Rosemary
The best time of year to harvest is during spring and fall. Don’t harvest too closely to the first frost. This will give the plant time to recuperate after the harvest. Also, only cut soft stems, if the stem is woody don’t make cuts there. Soft stems will have the ability to grow anew, while the woody stems will not.
There are a couple of ways to harvest rosemary.
- Take the first 2 or 3 inches from a stem for a more sustainable approach. You can do this every couple days. It will actually promote a more bushy plant. Make sure to allow time for new growth between cutting the same stem.
- Or if you have a large bushy rosemary plant, you can take a few stems, during the spring time. Try to pick them from different areas of the plant so not to devastate one area. Give them time to grow back before harvesting again.
*Fertilizer
*Rosemary rarely needs fertilizer.* Too much nitrogen may invite pests.
Propagate
Cut a few stems (4-5 inches long) from the plant, make sure to only cut soft stems, not the woody stems. Remove the lower leaves. Put them in a couple inches of water, in a glass. When roots start growing, place them in a pot with well draining potting soil. Care for this new plant as you would the others, except wait to harvest until the plants have doubled or more in size.
*Diseases
*Rosemary is resistant to many diseases however, it can get powdery mildew.* Keeping the plant pruned, providing good air circulation will help to decrease this from happening.
Insects
Rosemary is not prone to having many issues with insects. There are a couple of things to watch for though. Such as, spider mites, scales, and/or mealy bugs.
Spider mites, yellowing of leaves, evidence of spider-like insect. They usually live on the underside of the leaf. You may notice a web like substance on the plant also. Remove infected areas as possible. Then Apply neem oil as directed on the bottle.
Scales, they look like little bumps, and come in a couple different colors. The leaves may yellow. Scales can be found mostly on stems, but sometimes on leaves also. If only a small amount of scales are found, you may be able to scrape them off. If larger infestation is present. cut off the infested areas.
Mealy Bugs, White powdery-like bugs that have a lot of legs. You will find them grouped together around the stems, and leaves. Spray with water, an insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin soap.
Preserving Rosemary
Air Drying – If you are preserving whole stems, tie the stems with twine. Punch holes in a brown paper bag and cover the stems. The bag will catch any leaves that fall off on their own.
Hang them to dry for 1-2 weeks. Before storing them crush one between your fingers. Make sure it crumples, if it doesn’t it may need more time to dry. If you store them before they are done drying, they will be prone to molding.
Dehydrating – My favorite way to preserve rosemary. I have an excalibur dehydrator. Place small sprigs of rosemary on the dehydrator tray. Set the temperature to the correct setting according to the directions of the machine. I usually dry them for 4-6 hours.
Remove the leaves from the stems I love this especially for rosemary & thyme) and place them in an airtight container and place away from light.
Want to learn more about gardening? Take the very affordable Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening Online Class!
There are several kinds of rosemary to choose from. The best way to choose one that is good for your area, is to check what your local stores are selling. They usually sell plants that are native and/or will thrive in your current environment.
I wish you the best of luck on growing rosemary. I hope these tips helped you!
Kristi from Homestead Wishing
- HomesteadWishing.com
- Facebook.com/homesteadwishing
- Twitter.com/homesteadwish
- Pinterest.com/homesteadwish
Kristi Wheeler Bio:
Her family thinks she is the world’s best cook. She currently has too many hobbies to list. Her favorite is crocheting. She also loves gardening, caring for chickens, making homemade items, and escaping to new worlds through books. Kristi is also a writer for Fermentools, and for the Beauty Lifestyle Mommy Magazine.
Check out – Homesteadwishing.com
Resources:
*edible *Fertilizer *Diseases https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-623-Easty-Gardening-Rosemary.pdf
*Starting seed *Well draining soil
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary.html
This is a very thorough article! I will definitely be using this information to help grow ours. Our last two plants were over harvested by my overeager husband. He loves to cook with it!
Hi Kristi. While it is true that rosemary doesm’t respond well to overwatering
I read somewhere that rosemary is one of the few plants that benefit from watering its leaves.
In my experience, rosemary is more susceptible to root rot so you do need to be careful not to over-water. I still water it traditionally.
I live in Vegas and the heat is baffling me and my rosemary. I already let one die and the other is heading in the same direction. I thought I underwater because it got brittle and brown, now I think Im over watering, beacuse she is getting brittle and brown but I keep the soil moist. I repotted her and will allow her soil to dry out a little and see what happens.
Very, “packed with info, ” I’m creating at the moment a herb garden, I had planted a Rosemary 3years back now its very large and woody lots off new soft growth at the top rather unsightly for a foot up.will new growth come from the bottom if I trim old woody bit.?
THank you for your wonderful information It is exactly what I have need , for years I have avoided buying one because I knew I would kill it ,now I will be buying one ASAP I just found a recipe for rosemary cookies and they are delicious ,now they won’t be expensively make.
Can you share with us the rosemary cookies recipe?. Appreciated so much. Thanks
This was so helpful! I love the name of your blog!
Thank you so much. 😀
I live where we have cold winters. I cut my Rosemary down, clean the stems, let them dry and then throw them in freezer bags. All winter I pull frozen stems out to use in cooking. Very aromatic and wonderful.
I have bought rosemary plants in the past & they all died. I just bought a large one & will follow your instructions. I hope to have a nice herb garden this year.
Do rosemary plants come back year after year?
Depending on your zone – it is a perennial.
Yes they should not die down at all its an evergreen
I’ve got an old leggy Rosemary that needs a severe haircut. It’s spread way out and has gotten unruly and ugly. It’s healthy just ugly. Can I prune it way back without killing it?
Btw-We live in the east Texas woods in sandy soil. The plant is in partial shade and is irrigated. It’s at least 10 years old and maybe older and one of three we have throughout the yard because the deer don’t eat it!
Great article- I found it via Pinterest. I didn’t know about the flowers being edible- my rosemary plant is flowering at the moment, pretty blue flowers. Will use these in a salad! Thanks again.
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. I have been given 2 small branches about 4 inches from a friend at the beginning of the year and now I have grown 2 others from them. I love using rosemary mostly when cooking fish pie though have used it for other cookings too.
I am very blessed to know of how to takecare of this plant as I am planning to have more of them at home.
Thank you once again Kristi and may God Bless you for the wonderful job you have shared especially me.
I Romero plant is it very driven I wood like very green ,how can I do for put my Rosmery green very beautiful
I just recently bought a variety of Rosemary called “Chef’s Choice”. It is a new variety developed this year by Southern Living Magizine. The plant tag states the cold tolerance of 0°F. I noticed in your article you said 30° for Rosemary. Are you familiar with this new variety? What is your opinion on leaving my plants in the ground? In Georgia, where I live, it normally doesn’t get below 25° . I can’t ever remember temperatures falling below 15°F. Should I put mulch around my plants in winter?
I am not, but I’ll do a little research.
I live in the tropics, Guam. How would they do in my type of climate?
I’m not really familiar with a tropical climate but it should do fine.
I live in Central Texas. My Rosemary is growing in full sun (Summer temps 100+) so to say they need partial shade I don’t feel is accurate. Ours is easily 5′ x 5′ and very little care. I don’t water it so the only time it gets water is when it rains, which in the Summer around here is next to nothing.
I do have a question, my spouse, thinking it would sprout new growth, whacked it back out of a walkway. That was months ago. I’m thinking it will not sprout new growth in this area since nothing has so far. Am I correct? I can tell you the base of it is the size of an adult fist. I suggested he just trim it like he would any other bush but he said, “Aww, the way this thing grows. It’ll sprout new growth in no time.”