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Why Grow Rosemary?

Rosemary is one of the best plants to add to your garden because it has lots of benefits. Unlike some plants that are just nice to look at, rosemary has practical purposes too. Still, rosemary is a very beautiful plant and it will spice up any garden.

Grow Rosemary for Appearance

Rosemary is a spectacular plant to add to your garden if you’re looking to fill up space. It’s a large plant that can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. There are all kinds of rosemary plants though, and not all are the same. Some grow taller than they are wide, and others grow wider than they are tall.

Some rosemary shrubs can be used as large hedges that can be sculpted and used almost like fences. Others only grow a foot off the ground but spread out, almost like ivy. The different kinds of rosemary even come in all different colors or green, so there is undoubtedly a rosemary plant to match every preference. Even better, most rosemary plants bloom flowers in the spring!

But, maybe you don’t care so much about the plant’s aesthetic appeal and are more interested in what it can provide you. Like most herbs, rosemary is a very useful plant.

Grow Rosemary for Cooking

Rosemary is used in all kinds of dishes. Professional and amateur cooks all over love to cook with rosemary. It can be used in roasts, soups, and sauces. It can even be frozen or dried to be stored for later use.

Most cooks will tell you that buying fresh herbs all the time can get quite expensive. Why then would you want to purchase fresh rosemary when you could grow it yourself? Some people don’t like to grow their own herbs because it takes extra time and effort, but for many people, it’s well worth it.

Just keep in mind that you can’t harvest rosemary off a plant that is under a year old. If you do this, you can damage the plant and prevent it from growing properly in the future. However, if you’re willing to be patient, a full-grown rosemary plant can provide you with fresh herbs for over 10 years.

Even better yet, rosemary is a perennial herb meaning that it can be harvested anytime during the year. It’s recommended to harvest during the spring and summer when the plant grows the most, but it isn’t necessary. Some people will harvest all the rosemary they want during spring and will freeze it for later. Others will simply clip sprigs off as they need them throughout the year.

Besides looking nice and being a tasty herb for cooking, rosemary has even more uses. It has been used for years in medicine.

Grow Rosemary for Medicine

There are a few minor ailments that rosemary can help you with. It can relieve symptoms of anxiety, mild joint pain, stomach upset, and memory improvement.

You may notice some improvements just by using rosemary to cook with. Still, others will use rosemary as incense, and others will use it as essential oil. Although most people purchase these products, you can make them with your own recipes and rosemary.

When To Plant Rosemary Outside & Inside

The answer to when to plant rosemary seeds, cuttings, or juvenile plants is spring time. Spring and summer is when rosemary grows the most, so it makes sense that it should be planted during the spring.

Rosemary is a plant native to the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is most acclimated to warm and dry climates. This is why it grows better during spring and summer.

Although rosemary is cold tolerant to an extent, it doesn’t handle the stress of frost well. You should never plant your rosemary plants until you’re sure that the last frost of the season is over.

Of course, if you live in a climate that is warm year-round, you can certainly plant your rosemary at any time during the year. The same goes for rosemary plants grown indoors. Still, they’ll do better when planted in the spring, regardless.

Can You Plant Rosemary At Other Times Of The Year?

Technically, it’s possible to plant rosemary at other times during the year, but it’s not recommended. Summer and winter temperatures are too extreme for the plant to really take off well. Depending on what region you live in, winter temperatures might be so low as to kill your new plant.

Read more about how rosemary copes in winter here.

Moderate temperatures like that of spring and fall are much better suited for a newly planted rosemary plant to grow.

Although spring is preferable, fall is also a suitable time to plant your rosemary shrub. Fall has moderate temperatures similar to spring, and there is usually adequate rainfall as well. These conditions are good for helping your rosemary plant become well established.

Some people even argue that planting in fall is better than planting in the spring. This is because, in the fall, the rosemary shrub has started to become woodier. While this may seem counterproductive, it can help the plant remain sturdier and help its roots get a better hold of the soil.

The only problem with planting in the fall is that the plant has already begun to slow down. It’s not growing nearly as much because it’s preparing for the colder temperatures ahead. This is particularly true of regions in the USDA hardiness zones of 8 and 9 where your rosemary plant is likely to go dormant over winter.

Overall, expert botanists and gardeners alike agree that spring is the best time to grow rosemary.

How Long Does Rosemary Take To Grow?

How long it takes rosemary to grow depends on what life stage you’re at.

If you’re growing from seeds, it will take about 2-3 weeks for the seeds to sprout.

If you’re propagating from clippings, it can take 2-8 weeks for new roots to appear. Roots will appear sooner if you use rooting hormone, and will appear more slowly if left to their own devices.

After 2 years, you will begin to notice blooming flowers during the springtime.

The exact time frame for a rosemary plant to become mature isn’t known, but it is thought to take several years.

Tips For Planting Rosemary

Rosemary is a very easy plant to grow and care for. Still, it has its own preferences. As long as you follow our tips, you’ll have a healthy rosemary plant for 10+ years.

Here’s a quick guide on how to care for your rosemary plant:

For tips on what other plants you can grow alongside your rosemary, check out this article.

When To Harvest Rosemary

Similar to planting rosemary, it’s best to harvest rosemary during the spring and summer. This is because — you guessed it — this is when the plant grows the most.

Rosemary is a perennial plant, so it continues to grow throughout the year. That is, except during winter when it goes dormant. Because it’s always growing, you can harvest it at any time. However, the plant will have most of its new growth during spring and summer. This is when the plant is healthiest and the leaves will taste the best.

Will Rosemary Survive Winter?

Rosemary is a very cold tolerant plant and can survive in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, it doesn’t handle frost well, and it needs some protection if it’s going to be experiencing very cold temperatures.

For temperatures under 10 degrees — USDA zones 7 and under — the rosemary plant needs to be brought inside over winter or they won’t survive.

To learn more about how to protect your plant over winter, check out my full guide.

Final Words on When to Plant Rosemary

Technically, rosemary can be planted at any time of year because it’s a perennial plant. Still, the best time of year to plant will always be spring. Spring is simply when rosemary is at its healthiest. This is when it grows the most, and you will see lots of new growth appearing on the stems. It also gives the plant plenty of time to establish itself before the oncoming winter. If you’re thinking about adding rosemary to your garden this spring, you’ll want to start planning now!

Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about where to plant rosemary or here to learn how to grow rosemary from cuttings. You can also find all our guides to growing rosemary here or find the best growing conditions here

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

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Let’s start!

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Why Grow Rosemary?

People grow rosemary for a number of reasons, but the main reason is for cooking. It’s also useful in medicine and deterring pests. Some people simply like the way it looks.

Grow Rosemary for Cooking

Rosemary is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking. It is most popularly used in soups, sauces, and roasts. It’s great for these dishes because of its strong aroma and taste that can be overpowering in subtler dishes.

Any cook will tell you that purchasing fresh rosemary from the store can quickly become expensive. If you grow rosemary in your home or garden, you’ll always have fresh rosemary on hand to use in your cooking. You don’t even need to worry about your fresh rosemary going bad. It can be dried or frozen for later use.

Grow Rosemary for Appearances

Rosemary is a very beautiful plant and it will spruce up any garden. There is a rosemary plant for everyone because there are several different kinds. Some grow taller than they are wide, and others creep along the ground. The largest plants can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. The smallest may only reach about 1 foot off the ground, but will creep along the ground for several feet.

Besides the volume they’ll add to your garden, they’re very pretty in color. The leaves are a dark green with a needle-like appearance. Some plants will sprout white, purple, or pink flowers in the springtime. Not only does it look very nice, but rosemary emits a very nice aroma as well.

Grow Rosemary for Medicine

This is a less-known use, but rosemary can be used to aid minor ailments.

Some people use rosemary to help with their anxiety, mild joint pain, stomach upset, and memory improvement. Sometimes, you can reap these benefits just by adding rosemary to your food. Others use it in incense or in essential oils.

Grow Rosemary for Pest Control

Although rosemary is not likely to kill off any existing pests, it is a good deterrent. As we said earlier, rosemary has a very strong scent. Although this scent is one of the reasons we love rosemary so much, it is unpleasant for many pests.

The scent of the rosemary plant will confuse and deter pests from entering your garden and going after your other plants.

Read more about using rosemary to repel pests here.

Growing Rosemary In A Pot Vs In Garden

Whether you choose to grow your rosemary in a pot or in the garden is entirely up to you. Neither option is really better, but they do have their own benefits as well as downsides.

Growing Potted Rosemary

Planting your rosemary in a pot is a good option if you want to have more control over your plant. That being said, it does tend to be more difficult to grow in a pot. Rosemary is very particular about what kind of soil it grows in and the amount of water it receives.

Rosemary doesn’t like a lot of water, so it needs to be in soil that drains very well. It can be difficult for people to find the right kind of soil for rosemary, and many gardeners end up creating their own concoction. Most people use a combination of regular potting soil and Perlite. Others may use cactus soil with Perlite.

One of the great things about growing rosemary in a pot is that you can easily take care of it over winter. Of course, you can always transplant your plant from the ground to a pot over winter, but that can be difficult and requires extra work. If your rosemary is already in a pot, you simply need to move it indoors.

Of course, some kinds of rosemary will be easier to grow in a pot than others. Rosemary that grows taller than it does wide will do best in a pot. However, some people like creeping rosemary in their pots too. The plants will spill over the edge of the pot, creating a waterfall-like effect.

Best Pots for Growing Rosemary

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Growing Fresh Rosemary In The Garden

Growing your rosemary in a garden setting tends to be easier than growing it in a pot. Because of rosemary’s very specific needs, it can be challenging to take care of it in a pot. When growing in a garden, rosemary is more independent.

One advantage to growing your rosemary in a garden is that the plant won’t be limited in how large it can grow. It will have all the space it needs to spread out and grow. This is especially important since certain rosemary plants can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide.

Growing rosemary in your garden will also allow your garden to look prettier.

One of the greatest advantages to having rosemary in your garden is the effect it’ll have on pests. The strong odor that rosemary gives off attracts pollinators while repelling pests that will destroy your garden.

The only time growing rosemary in a garden setting is more difficult than in a pot is during winter. You’ll need to take certain precautions to ensure your rosemary survives the winter months.

Growing Rosemary Plants Outdoors

Of course, if you do plan to grow your rosemary outside, you’ll want to know how to take care of it. Fortunately, rosemary is a very easy plant to take care of, although it does have some very specific requirements.

Ideal Growing Conditions For Rosemary

Rosemary is a plant found natively in the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe and parts of Asia. Because of this, it’s used to warm temperatures, dry soil, and lots of sun.

Sun Requirements for Rosemary

The absolute most important thing when growing rosemary is to make sure it gets lots of sun. Rosemary cannot thrive without at least 6-8 of full sun a day. This means that it should not be in any shade. If your plant falls into some shade a few hours a day, that’s okay, but 6-8 hours of the day should be entirely full sun.

As we discussed earlier, it’s best to plant your rosemary on the eastern side of your house. The east is where the sun rises, so this will ensure that your plant gets plenty of sun throughout the entire day.

Read more about how much sun rosemary needs here.

Space Requirements for Rosemary

Rosemary plants can grow very large depending on the kind of rosemary plant you purchase. Certain rosemary can grow up to 6-8 feet tall or wide, taking up lots of space.

So, whether you’re buying multiple rosemary plants, or planning to plant your rosemary with other plant species, you’ll want to give them space. Rosemary should be planted at least 2-3 feet away from all other plants.

Best Soil Conditions For Rosemary

The second most important thing to know when growing rosemary is to know what kind of soil it needs. As we said, rosemary needs lots of sun and little water to thrive. It makes sense then that it would also need a well-draining soil to prevent it from becoming over watered.

As we said, most people use a combination of regular potting soil or cactus potting soil with a bit of Perlite.

Read more about the best soil for rosemary here.

When To Plant Rosemary

Technically, rosemary can be planted any time of the year, but it does best during the springtime. Spring is when rosemary begins to “wake up” and begin to grow. This is also when the temperatures are most moderate.

Buy Rosemary Seeds or Rosemary Plants here and get started now!

• These small rosemary plants will give you a great head start in growing Rosemary – get them now and start your rosemary journey today!
• Grow Rosemary year-round hydroponically – it’s easy wherever you live and whatever the weather. And it looks fabulous on the kitchen sill! – get a starter kit here.
• Grow Rosemary in Mason Jars – full seeds, kit and everything you need here.

Planting Rosemary in Spring

Spring is when you’ll see the most new growth in rosemary plants, and this is when they’re healthiest. This is also when you’ll begin to see flowers bloom on older, already established plants. Because rosemary automatically does best in spring, it makes sense then that it would also do best when planted in spring.

When you plant in spring, make sure to do it after the first frost. Although rosemary is cold tolerant, it doesn’t handle frost well. New and young plants are particularly susceptible to frost. If you’re not sure the last frost was really the last frost, it’s safer to wait a couple weeks.

Planting Rosemary in Winter

Winter is not a good time to plant rosemary because the temperatures are too cool and the plant can’t establish itself.

In areas where it’s really cold, rosemary will go dormant over winter, so they might not establish at all. If you try to plant rosemary over winter where it’s very cold, it’s likely that your plant will die.

Of course, if you’re growing your rosemary indoors, it can be planted at any time.

Planting Rosemary in Summer

Summer is a better time to plant than winter, but it’s still not idea. The weather is too hot, and it makes it too hard and stressful for the plant to try and establish itself.

Planting Rosemary in Fall

Fall is the next best time for rosemary to be planted. It’s not as good as spring, but the moderate temperatures of fall make it possible.

The issue with planting in fall is that it doesn’t give your plant much time to establish itself and grow. The plant will be preparing for winter. If the climate is cold enough, the plant will even go dormant and stop growing entirely during winter.

However, some people argue that fall is better than spring to plant specifically because it’s preparing for winter. During this time, rosemary becomes woodier and more sturdier. Some people argue that this increased sturdiness helps the roots to better take hold.

Either way, if you plan to plant in the fall, make sure to do it several weeks before the first frost. If you don’t give it time to establish itself before the first frost, the plant won’t survive.

Overall, most experts and gardeners agree that spring is the best time to plant rosemary. Read more here.

How To Plant Rosemary

The best time of year to plant rosemary is in the spring because that’s when the plant naturally grows. When planting a juvenile plant, you’ll want to plant it in the soil as deeply as it was planted in its original container.

If you’re planting from clippings (read how here), you’ll only want to cover the roots. If planting from seeds, you’ll only place the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the soil.

How Often To Water Rosemary

Rosemary plants are very used to having little water and are even quite drought-tolerant. Because of this, you’ll want to be extra careful about not overwatering your plants. In fact, it’s better to underwater than overwater if you’re struggling to figure out what the right amount of water is.

In a pot, rosemary should only be watered when the soil has completely dried out. This gives your plant plenty of time to get the water it needs without being overwatered. It also prevents root rot.

The scenario is basically the same if your plant is growing outside as well. However, outside, rosemary can be watered while the soil is slightly damp.

Should I Use Spray Fertilizer On Rosemary?

Whether or not you use fertilizer is really going to depend on whether you’re planting inside or outside. Rosemary does do well with a bit of fertilizer, but you shouldn’t overdo it. It’s easy to over-fertilize your rosemary and kill it due to excess nutrients.

Rosemary that is planted outside generally doesn’t need any extra fertilization. The only time you should provide it with fertilizer is if it appears sick.

Inside, a balanced fertilizer is healthy for your rosemary plant as long as you use it in moderation.

Can Rosemary Survive Winter?

Rosemary can survive winter, depending on where you live. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 7 and under, your rosemary plants will need to be kept inside over winter. If you try to leave them outside, they will almost definitely die.

If you live in hardiness zones 8 and 9, your plants can survive outdoors, but you’ll want to prepare them. A good practice to keep is surrounding your rosemary shrub with bricks and layering the roots with an insulating mulch. You should also prune back the branches to about 6 inches.

Each of these practices will help your plant better survive the winter months. Read more here.

Best Rosemary Growing Conditions Indoors

Caring for rosemary in a pot indoors or outdoors is somewhat the same. In a pot, rosemary is going to need a lot more attention than if it’s being grown in a garden.

Above, we covered the basic care of potted rosemary. Here, we’ll cover a few things specific to potted plants kept indoors.

Sun Requirements for Growing Rosemary indoors

As we said, rosemary needs 6-8 hours of full sunlight a day. This can sometimes be difficult to achieve inside, especially if you don’t have enough window space. The way to solve this is by purchasing a “grow” light designed specifically for plants.

Temperature for Growing Rosemary indoors

Many people bring their rosemary plants inside over winter because it gets too cold outside. However, if you keep your plant inside year round, you also need to be cautious of the heat.

Rosemary grows best in temperatures of 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. If your house goes above that in the summer, you’ll need to turn on your air conditioning.

When To Harvest Rosemary

Technically, because rosemary is perennial, you can harvest it at any time of the year. However, the best time to harvest is in the spring. Spring is when the plant will be doing most of its growing, and this is when it will be the healthiest.

How To Harvest Rosemary

Harvesting rosemary is quite easy. You’ll simply cut 4-6 inches of the stem tip off. As long as your plant is fully grown, you can take as many clippings as you like, and they’ll eventually regrow.

Final Rosemary Growing Tips

One thing we’d like to caution you on is to take extra care of your plant while it’s young. The first 6 months is when it’ll need the most care and attention.

Also, we know that most people purchase rosemary to use the herb. But, you don’t want to take any clippings from your rosemary for the first year. Taking clippings while the plant is still young can damage it and prevent it from growing properly in the future.

Final Words on the OPtimum Growing Conditions for Rosemary

You may be feeling overwhelmed right now. Rosemary is supposed to be an easy plant to care for, but there are all these guidelines for keeping it healthy. Don’t worry, it’s really not as hard as it seems. The two most important things to remember is to give rosemary plants lots of full sun and make sure it’s potted in well-draining soil. If you do those two things, your rosemary plant will do well. From there, you can work on learning how to make it thrive. Happy planting!

Want to learn more? Read about how to grow rosemary from cuttings here or in water here. You can also find all my rosemary guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Best Growing Conditions For Rosemary [Full Guide To Awesome Plants] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Below, I describe everything you need to know to answer can rosemary survive winter including what to do with rosemary plant in winter, when to bring it inside, how to prepare it for winter and whether it will still grow in winter. As well as how cold rosemary plants can survive and information about plant hardiness zones.

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Plant Hardiness Zones

The USDA has put together a list of “Hardiness” Zones. Farmers and other gardeners use this list to determine if a plant will survive in a certain area across the United States. To use this list, you can go onto the USDA website. There, you will type in your zip code and the site will tell you the zone you live in.

To decide whether a plant will survive, the USDA calculates the average minimum winter temperature in each area. The list is divided into 10 degree Fahrenheit zones.

For example, zone 1a has an average minimum winter temperature of -60 to -55 degrees Fahrenheit. Zone 13b has an average minimum winter temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, there are several zones in between these hot and cold extremes.

Can A Rosemary Plant Survive Winter?

Is rosemary winter hardy? Rosemary is a pretty cold tolerant plant, so it usually can survive through the winter. However, whether or not it’ll survive for sure depends on how cold your region gets.

This is where the plant hardiness zones come in. They’ll be able to tell you where rosemary thrives best. It’ll also tell you which regions are warm enough over winter for rosemary to survive.

What Is The Lowest Temperature That Rosemary Can Survive?

At its coldest, rosemary can survive in temperatures down to 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it can survive these temperatures, it won’t necessarily be happy.

If they’re small enough to be brought inside, the plants will likely do better.

Should You Bring Rosemary Inside In Winter?

Can rosemary survive outside in the winter? Rosemary cannot survive under 10 degrees Fahrenheit. So, they should be brought inside if you live in an area where it gets colder than this. This includes USDA hardiness zones 7 or below. If you live in zones 8 or above, rosemary can survive the winter outside.

However, if the area you live gets particularly cold, it’s a good idea to offer your plants some protection.

As always, there is an exception to this rule. There are a few kinds of rosemary that have been bred to better withstand the cold.

Rosemary plants like the “Arp”, “Athens Blue Spire”, and “Madeline Hill” are some of the most cold hardy rosemary plants available. They can survive in USDA hardiness zones as low as 6 as long as they receive plenty of protection.

How To Protect Rosemary In Winter

Although rosemary is quite cold tolerant, it’s still going to need some protection. Rosemary plants in winter are unlikely to survive in hardness zones 7 or below. So, if you live on the skirts of zone 7, such as zone 8 or 9, you’ll need to take precautions to protect your plant from the cold and frost.

Protecting your rosemary plant from the winter chill begins long before the winter season even starts. In fact, keeping your plant protected from the winter temperatures begins before you’ve even planted your shrub.

Protecting Rosemary From Wind

You should keep your plant in a sheltered location, like along the wall of your house. This will prevent any cold wind from reaching it.

However, you’ll also want to make sure it’s getting lots of sun. Pick a wall along your house where the sun shines for several hours during the day. This will produce a spot that is fairly warm for your plant to camp out over winter.

Mulching to Protect Rosemary

Another way to protect rosemary plants outside is called mulching. Some people will prune their plants so that their stems are only 6 inches long. Wait to prune your plant until after the first frost, and then bury the entire plant under soil or compost.

Mulch is a really good option because it keeps the soil at a stable temperature for the duration of winter. This prevents the ground from going through cycles of freezing and thawing which can be stressful to your rosemary plants. By keeping the soil at a consistent temperature, your rosemary will go dormant, and their roots will be protected.

To do this, use mulch like straw, pine needles, or chopped leaves. Pile them over your plant’s roots 4 to 6 inches high. You’ll want to remove half of this mulch in the spring. If you like, you can surround your plant with cinderblocks before filling in the hole with mulch. The blocks provide insulation and extra protection against the cold.

Frost Blankets for Rosemary

Others will cover their rosemary plant with a frost blanket or a floating row cover. These are one of the most effective items for keeping your rosemary safe during the winter months.

For these to be effective, you need to make sure that the plant is completely covered. If any air or snow and ice is able to get inside, they won’t offer much protection. To securely fasten these covers, some people layer the edges with bricks or dirt.

Bringing Rosemary Plants Inside

If you live in zones 7 or below, your only option is to bring your rosemary inside. If you choose to leave it outside, it’s more than likely going to die.

Even if you live in zones 8 or above, bringing your plant inside is still an option. Some people find that they have more peace of mind knowing their plant is safely inside, especially if the plant is still younger.

Digging Rosemary Up in Winter

To prevent any damage, you’ll need to dig them up and bring them inside before the first frost. This is usually best done in early Autumn when the temperatures begin to drop.

When you dig up your rosemary plant, you’ll need a shovel. Be careful with that shovel, though, because you don’t want to damage the roots.

If your plant is older, it might not be possible to keep all the roots. Rosemary root systems become more complex the more they age. Still, you’ll want to save as much of the root as is possible. You’ll always want to ensure that a large root “ball” remains intact.

To avoid damaging the roots, you should begin digging about 6 inches from the main stem. Create a circle around the stem about a foot in diameter and a foot deep. You may need to go a bit bigger depending on how large your plant is.

When you remove the plant from the ground, do so carefully. Move slowly to avoid damaging any roots. You can now place it into a pot with new soil.

Potting Rosemary for Winter

One important thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t bring your plant in immediately. You’ll want to let it sit outside in its new pot for a few days. This gives it time to acclimate to its new environment. If you bring it inside immediately, it might be too much of a change, and your plant could go into shock.

With that said, you don’t want to move your rosemary where it will experience too much of a temperature change. Clearly, it should be kept above freezing, but you also don’t want to place it in the hottest room of your house. Regularly mist your plant to keep humidity up and prevent it from drying out.

As you know, rosemary doesn’t like a lot of moisture, and overwatering can cause a lot of damage. Only water your plant about once a week and don’t allow the soil to become too wet. Pots with good drainage holes are your best option.

When the temperatures begin to warm up, you can bring your plant outside. Just as you don’t want to move your plant straight from the cold to the warmth, you won’t want to move it straight from the warmth to colder weather. Instead, move it outside for a few days while still in the pot before replanting in the ground.

How To Prepare Rosemary For Winter

Protecting your rosemary plant during the winter is important. But, there are some things you need to prepare it for the coming cold.

Keep Your Rosemary Hydrated

The coming cold and frost of the winter can severely dry out your rosemary plant. Although rosemary can survive in dry climates, a lack of water all throughout the winter will not do it any good.

Usually, fall is a wet season which provides your rosemary with plenty of water for the coming winter. It’s important that the plant gets lots of water. They convert the water into antifreeze that allows them to be better protected from the cold.

However, if your fall has been a dry one, you’ll want to begin watering your plant two weeks before the first frost.

Pruning Rosemary For Winter

Pruning your rosemary plant before winter is one of the best things you can do to prepare it for winter.

Remove any dead matter, including stems and leaves. This allows your plant to only focus on living matter rather than exerting energy on something that doesn’t need it.

Does Rosemary Grow In Winter?

Rosemary plants can continue to grow throughout winter, but it really depends how cold it is. In particularly cold areas, rosemary is more likely to go dormant for the winter.

In warmer areas, or if you bring it inside, it can continue to grow. Still, it will grow much more slowly than it does during the rest of the year.

Click here to read more about how big rosemary grows.

Final Words on Helping Rosemary Survive Winter

Rosemary is a cold tolerant plant that does well over winter with some protection. Although it can withstand the cold, there are some things you need to do to help make it through the winter months. However, make sure you find out which USDA hardiness zone you live in. Rosemary can’t survive in zones 7 or below. If you live in these areas, no amount of protection will keep your plant alive. If you want to keep enjoying your rosemary next season, bring it inside over winter.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn where to best plant rosemary or here for when to plant. You can also find all our guides to growing rosemary here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

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Does rosemary repel insects, really? Yes! Not only does repelling pests protect itself, but it also protects other plants that it’s planted by. Rosemary: insect repellent extraordinaire! Many people like to grow multiple plants together in their gardens. Depending on which plants you choose, this can be very beneficial. So, which pests does rosemary ward off? Below, you will find my full guide to how plants repel pests, which pests rosemary repels, and how to best plant rosemary for the best results.

Can Plants Control Pests?

Certain plants can control pests. Many plants that do this emit aromas or chemicals that are unappealing to pests. Some plants can even be toxic to pests if they find themselves chomping on them.

The fact that some plants can deter pests is great. It helps prevent your other crops from being eaten and destroyed.

It creates less work for you, as the plants will take care of each other. It also means that you won’t have to use insecticides which can be damaging to your plants. Not only that, but insecticides will prevent your garden from receiving good bugs as well.

In fact, many plants that emit properties that deter pests, also emit properties that will attract pollinators and other good bugs.

Why Grow Rosemary?

There are many reasons people like to plant rosemary. It smells very nice and is beautiful to look at. It can be used to treat minor ailments like anxiety and joint pain. Best of all, its sprigs can be used in dishes like soups, sauces, and roasts to enhance the flavor of your cooking.

But, did you know that rosemary also wards off pests?

If you’re having trouble with pests in your home or garden, rosemary just might be your solution.

Does Rosemary Repel Mosquitoes?

Rosemary is considered one of the best herbs for repelling mosquitoes. This is because it’s a woody plant with a strong, woody scent. Mosquitoes hate this scent and will keep far away from rosemary and anything growing near it.

Mosquitoes are one of the worst insects to have in your garden because they harass you and bite at your skin. By planting rosemary, the mosquitoes should disappear, and you can go back to enjoying your garden.

Another bonus is that there are other plants that repel mosquitoes as well. Lavender, marigolds, and sage all emit a similarly strong smell that mosquitoes hate. Better yet, these plants are all compatible to be planted with rosemary. They all do very well together and can even help each other to grow.

If you want a garden that’s really mosquito repellent, purchase rosemary along with these other plants.

What Bugs Does Rosemary Repel?

Besides some of the more problematic insects like mosquitos and lice, rosemary can deter other bugs as well. Here are some other bugs that will crawl or fly away from rosemary:

• Ants
• Bed bugs
• Bees
• Cockroaches
• Flies
• Wasps
• Cabbage moths

Does Rosemary Repel Lice?

Rosemary’s powerful scent doesn’t stop there, though. There are plenty of other bugs and insects that hate the strong aroma of rosemary. Like mosquitos, lice are particularly sensitive to the strong scent of rosemary. If lice smell rosemary, they will run in the other direction.

Rosemary isn’t likely to kill lice by itself. However, you can use your rosemary to create your own essential oils. Essential oils are a stronger and more potent form of your rosemary. If lice come in contact with these oils, they can die very quickly.

Rosemary essential oils can also be used around the home in areas where you’re having trouble with lice.

If you’re simply looking to deter lice rather than kill them, rosemary sprigs will be enough. Simply clip some sprigs from your rosemary shrub and place them in the areas of your home that need protected.

Does Rosemary Repel Fleas?

Fleas are a disgusting problem that can make its way into your house, particularly if you own cats or dogs. Fleas eat the blood of other animals, and this includes you! If fleas come into your home riding on your pet or your sweater, their eggs can fall into your carpet or rugs. Without even knowing, the eggs now have a perfect place to hatch and further invade your home.

Disgusting, right?

Not everyone likes to use pesticides and will seek natural insect repellents instead. If you own a rosemary plant, you’re in luck!

Unlike with mosquitoes and lice, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that rosemary can deter fleas. However, many people have reported eye-witness accounts of fleas being deterred by rosemary.

The best way to use rosemary to prevent a flea infestation is to plant it in your garden. When your rosemary plant is in your garden near your house, it acts as a permanent repellent to these disgusting critters.

If you need to use rosemary inside — whether to prevent an infestation or to manage a current one — there are other options.

Grab some fresh rosemary from your garden and crush it with a pestle and mortar. The powder can then be sprinkled over your carpets, furniture, and entry points like windowsills.

Another option is to buy or make rosemary essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the oil and leave them in areas of your house where you have noticed the most fleas. Most common areas include windowsills and doorways. You can also sprinkle drops of oil along these entry points as well if you don’t wish to use cotton balls.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that rosemary can kill fleas. It’s best used as a preventative to repel fleas from ever entering your home. If you already have an infestation, using rosemary as a repellant can help, but it won’t eliminate the issue.

NEVER use rosemary oil on your pets. Rosemary in itself is non-toxic to cats and dogs, but oil is highly concentrated and can cause an adverse reaction in your pets.

If you wish to use rosemary to deter fleas from your pet, it’s better to purchase shampoo. Rosemary is a common ingredient in most pet shampoos, so the scent can act as a deterrent.

Does Rosemary Repel Ticks?

Similar to how rosemary repels fleas, it will do the same for ticks. You can use rosemary as we described in the above section to prevent your home from being invaded by ticks.

Remember, NEVER use rosemary oil on your pet. Stick with rosemary-scented shampoos to act as a deterrent.

What Does Rosemary Repel? Everything Else

Rosemary does not only repel bugs and insects. There are other critters that hate it as well, either for its taste or smell:

• Snails
• Slugs
• Mice & Rats
• Deer

How To Plant Rosemary To Stop Pests

Basically, you’ll want to plant your rosemary anywhere you’d like to deter pests. There are a few options.

If you’re having trouble with pests in your home, you can plant rosemary near your windowsills.

If you have a closed garden, planting rosemary at your garden gate will deter pests and encourage pollinators.

Plant a hedge-like fence of rosemary around an open-concept fence. Or, simply plant multiple rosemary plants around the edges of your garden.

If you want to companion-plant your garden, you can intersperse your rosemary among your other plants. Just make sure they’re spaced 2-3 feet apart.

Final Words on Repelling Pests with Rosemary

Most gardeners know that rosemary makes a great companion plant for lots of crops. One reason they make such great companion crops is that they repel a host of different pests. Even better, if you’re having trouble with pests in your home, you can use fresh rosemary, rosemary powder, or rosemary oil to get rid of them. Some pests rosemary repels include mosquitos, fleas & ticks, lice, mice & rats, deer, flies, and other gross bugs. If you’ve ever looked for a natural way to prevent pests from invading your home, rosemary might be your best option.

Want to learn more? Click here to read my guide to whether rosemary spreads or here for where to plant rosemary. You can also find out why you should plant rosemary by the garden gate here, the best growing conditions here or all my rosemary guides here.

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Still, growing is a great option, and there are a few ways to propagate your own rosemary. One of the best ways to grow your own rosemary is to grow clippings in water. This is the method we’ll be covering today. Below, I answer can you root rosemary in water before describing exactly how to grow rosemary in water. You’ll soon know everything you need to know to start growing your own rosemary in water.

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Why Grow Your Own Rosemary?

Many gardeners have found that it’s better to grow your own rosemary than to buy it. Growing rosemary is so simple, and it leaves you with a huge payout.

The plant itself — although large — is beautiful. The leaves are a deep green and look needle-like. In the spring and summer, colorful flowers bloom, making the plant look even more appealing.

Growing Rosemary for Cooking

However, the best reason to grow rosemary is because of what the plant can do for you. Many people use rosemary in their cooking, and some people use it for medicinal uses too. If you frequently use rosemary in cooking, you’ll find that it can become quite expensive.

Why pay for fresh rosemary at the grocery store when you can grow it yourself? Planting a rosemary shrub in your backyard is a great idea. Not only does it make a nice-looking addition to your garden, but it provides you with fresh herbs for years to come.

What Are Your Options for Growing Rosemary?

With that said, there are a few ways that you can grow your own rosemary. Some people simply buy juvenile plants from their local garden center. This is certainly the easiest way, but some people like to save money by starting from scratch.

Seeds are an option, but this method takes the longest. Not only that, but only 15-30% of the seeds usually survive to germination. This can make the planting process of seeds very frustrating.

You can also grow rosemary by using clippings. Some people use root hormone and place their clippings in soil. This is the quickest way to propagate rosemary. However, some people don’t like this method because they don’t want to be eating something grown with hormones.

So, where does this leave us?

Another easy method of growing your own rosemary is to grow it in water. This is similar to the above method where you’ll use fresh clippings from a rosemary plant. However, rather than growing the clipping with root hormone and soil, you’ll begin the growing process with a cup of water.

Can Rosemary Grow In Water?

It is certainly possible to grow rosemary in water. Some people choose to do this method rather than planting their clippings directly in soil.

This is a popular method among those that don’t like to use growth hormones. A lack of growth hormones means that your rosemary plants will grow slower. Because it takes longer for the roots to sprout this way, you’ll want to be able to keep an eye on them.

If your plant is in soil, it’s not possible for you to keep taking it out to see how the roots are doing. That’s only going to damage the roots.

You also can’t use the water method if you plan on using root hormones. That’s because the hormones come in either powder or gels which will easily wash off if placed in water.

So, the water propagation method is a great way to grow your rosemary plants without hormones. However, because you aren’t using growth hormones, be prepared for your rosemary to take a bit longer to grow.

Why Grow Rosemary Cuttings In Water Instead Of Planting Seeds?

As we stated above, it’s better to grow rosemary from cuttings rather than from seeds. It’s simply easier and will save you both time and money.

Growing Rosemary From Cuttings In Water

Fortunately, it’s quite simple to propagate your rosemary in water. Still, there are some specific steps you need to take to make sure your plant begins growing roots and becomes healthy and strong.

What You Need To Start Growing Rosemary In Water

Of course, there are a few things you’ll need to get started growing your rosemary in water. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much:

• Pruning shears
• Small dish of water (~2″ deep)

How To Take A Cutting From Rosemary

Pick A Healthy Plant

There are a few things you’ll want to know before getting a clipping from your rosemary shrub. You never want to harvest from a plant that is less than 12 months old. Prematurely clipping from a plant that is too young can damage the plant and make it hard for it to grow.

You’ll also want to make sure that the plant is healthy. Clipping from an unhealthy plant will not help you to have a successful propagation. A healthy plant will have a dark green coloration in the leaves. They will also have plenty of new growth. If the plant is very woody and seems to have a bit of deadwood, you won’t want to clip from it.

When To Harvest Cuttings from Rosemary

Now that you’ve found a healthy rosemary plant to pick from, you’ll want to know the best time to get the clipping. Of course, rosemary is an evergreen plant, meaning that it continues to grow throughout the whole year. Because of this, you can successfully harvest a clipping at any time of the year.

Still, the best time to get a clipping from your rosemary plant is during the spring or summer. This is when your plant will be at its healthiest because it’s growing the most. You’ll notice lots of new growth on your plant during spring and summer. The new growth is what you’ll want to harvest.

Now you’ve found a healthy rosemary plant and know the best time to harvest. So, now it’s actually time to harvest.

Taking Cuttings from Rosemary

You’re going to want to choose 4-6 inches of the new growth to cut. Make sure that your shears are sharp and that you can cut the sprig in one smooth cut. If you have to cut more than once, some of the plant’s cells will be killed and it will be more difficult to propagate.

How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings In Water Step-By-Step

Of course, it’s not enough to simply have a cutting of your rosemary. You need to know how to actually grow it in water.

Remove Excess Leaves

Your new rosemary sprig is going to need a place for the roots to grow. If there are a bunch of leaves in the way, the roots won’t grow and your propagation won’t be successful. This is an easy fix, though. Simply remove all the leaves from the lower 1-2 inches of the stem. This will provide plenty of room for the new roots to sprout.

Rooting Rosemary Cuttings In Water

Next, you’re going to need to place your cuttings in water. To do this, you’ll want to get a small container and fill it about 1-2 inches full of water. You’ll want that 1-2 inches of bare stem completely covered in water so that the roots can grow. You don’t want any of the leaves to be covered in water, however.

After this, you just need to be patient and wait for your cuttings to begin growing. Every few days, you’ll want to replace the water with fresh water. Some people even remove the cuttings from the jar to rinse them down.

The water-growing process does take a bit longer than if you were using soil and root hormones. So, you’ll have to be patient. Most cuttings will begin growing roots at about 4-5 weeks, but it can take as long as 8 weeks.

Once your roots begin to sprout, you’re not done yet! The rosemary plant can’t live in water forever. Once its roots are established, you’ll need to move it to soil so it can continue on to the next stage of its life.

How To Plant Your Rosemary Cuttings In Soil

Rosemary does best in soil that drains well, like sandy soil. The soil should also be slightly acidic for best growth. Make sure to plant the roots deep enough in the soil that they can expand out and secure themselves.

Keep a close eye on your growing plant for the first month or so. This is when it’ll be most vulnerable. Rosemary plants don’t need a lot of water, so be careful that you don’t overwater it. Most people like to wait until the soil has almost dried before watering again.

After about a month, you won’t need to keep as close an eye on your cutting. It will continue growing on its own. In two years, you’ll begin to see flowers bloom, and after a few years, it’ll be completely grown.

Keep in mind that you won’t want to harvest anything from your new plant until it’s at least 12 months old. This includes pruning, creating cuttings, or taking sprigs for cooking. For the first year, simply let it be.

Final Words on Growing Rosemary in Water

Rosemary is a great plant to grow in your garden or even in your home. It’s very easy to propagate and to take care of. Better yet, it has a bunch of uses in cooking and medicine. If you use rosemary a lot, it’ll be beneficial for you to propagate your own plant rather than paying for it regularly at the store.

There are a few ways to grow your own rosemary plant. Some people start straight from seeds, while others use clippings. Even with clippings, there are a few options. You can grow it either with soil and root hormones, or you can grow it with just plain water.

The plain water option takes longer than growing in soil with root hormones. Still, this is probably the simplest way as you just place your clipping in water. This option is also beneficial because you can watch as the roots grow. This lets you know that your plants are doing just fine.

Want to learn more? Click here to find all my guides to growing rosemary. You can also read my full guide to how fast rosemary grows here or click here for my guide to growing rosemary with a cutting.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

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Because rosemary is used in so many dishes while cooking, it can be expensive to always buy rosemary. Plus, it’s an easy plant to grow. So, many people choose to grow rosemary in their own home and gardens. Rosemary plants are very easy to take of. When provided with the right resources, you can have a fresh supply of rosemary for years to come.

Below, I answer can I grow rosemary from a cutting before describing exactly how to grow rosemary from cutting including how to take a rosemary cutting, how to plant rosemary cuttings and everything else you need to know to start growing rosemary successfully.

Let’s start!

Can You Grow Rosemary From Cuttings?

Growing rosemary from cuttings is one of the best and easiest options for growing rosemary. Growing rosemary from cuttings is super easy, and you can use the same cuttings you’d use when harvesting the plant for food.

We’ll go over exactly how to do this below.

Why Start Growing Rosemary From Cuttings?

You can grow rosemary from seeds, but it’s a bit more difficult and can take longer.

To start, you will have to purchase the seeds. If you already have a rosemary plant or know someone who does, a cutting is the better option. You can use the free cutting to cheaply and easily start your knew plant.

Besides buying new seeds, seeds are the more difficult option. Although growing from seeds in itself is not particularly difficult, there isn’t much of a success rate. Only about 15-30% of seeds will germinate successfully. Because of this, you have to purchase and plant more rosemary seeds than you actually need.

Propagating from clippings is simply easier because you can use a part of a plant that is already grown. Rather than starting from scratch, you can plant a piece of an already grown plant to produce a new one.

How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings

Turning a cutting into a full rosemary plant is quite simple and is very rewarding.

What You Need To Start Growing Rosemary From A Cutting

It doesn’t take much, but you will have to purchase some supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A 4″ pot with drainage holes
• High-quality growing soil
• Water
• Rooting hormone (optional)
• Plastic sandwich bags (optional)

How To Take A Cutting From Rosemary

Before you take a cutting from a rosemary plant, you’ll want to make sure the plant is old enough and healthy enough. You should never harvest from a plant less than 12 months old.

You should also make sure that the plant is a healthy green color with lots of new growth. It is best to harvest from a rosemary plant in spring and summer when the plant will be growing the most.

Propagate Rosemary From Cuttings Step-By-Step

Now that we know what kind of rosemary plant to take cuttings from, we’ll need to know exactly how to get those cuttings.

Get A Rosemary Plant!

Unlike propagating with seeds, you’ll need an actual rosemary plant to propagate with cuttings. This is super easy if you already have a rosemary plant of your own because you can take a clipping from that. But, if you don’t have a rosemary plant, this can be a bit trickier.

Ask around and see who you can find that would be willing to let you have a clipping. Maybe one of your friends or family members have a plant they’re willing to share.

You can also check out gardening groups in the neighborhood and online to see if anyone is willing to spare a clipping. Sometimes, gardening companies will be willing to spare a clipping as well.

If all that fails, you can even check out your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Usually, these places will sell sprigs of fresh rosemary that you can use to propagate a new plant.

Clip Your Plant

Clipping off a piece of your rosemary plant won’t harm the plant. In fact, it will help it grow better in the future. With that being said, you don’t want to over clip your plant or it will cause more damage than good.

When clipping off a sprig of your rosemary plant, you’ll only want to take about 4-6 inches off your plant.

Rosemary shrubs are evergreen plants meaning that they continue to grow throughout the year. Because of this, you can prune, or take clippings, from your plant at anytime throughout the year. Still, it’s recommended to take clippings in spring and summer when the plant is growing the most.

When To Grow

If you’re planning on propagating a rosemary plant, you’ll want to know what time of year it should be done. Some growing times are better than others. The exact time that the plant should be grown is debated among gardeners, but it’s generally agreed that plants should be propagated in spring or early fall.

Spring

Spring is a great time to propagate your new plants because this is when they naturally grow the most. Rosemary plants grow the fastest and to their fullest over the spring and summer months. By planting in spring, you’re giving your new plant plenty of time to get some growing in before the weather turns cold.

If you’re going to plant in spring, just make sure that you plant after the last frost. New plants can’t survive extreme cold and frost will kill them.

Fall

Fall is also a good option because it’s when your plant begins to slow down. This might seem counterproductive. However, to prepare for the cooler temperatures, rosemary plants will become hardier and sturdier. Their bases will harden a bit and become woodier. This gives them a more solid base to grow upon.

If you choose to go with this method, however, make sure you do it in early fall. You’ll want to give your plant plenty of time to grow before the first frost of the season kicks in. If you choose to propagate in fall, you might need to overwinter your plant inside to protect it from the cold.

In either case, you’ll want to wait to plant your clipping in soil when the soil is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plant too early, the plants may be too cold to take root. If you plant in the summer when the soil is too hot, the plant may not be able to grow.

Click here for our full guide to when to plant rosemary.

After Clipping

You aren’t quite done after clipping your rosemary plant. You can’t just take that newly clipped stem and stick it into some soil.

After clipping, you’ll want to remove all the leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches of the stem. The stem should be completely bare at the bottom. This is extremely important because this is where new roots will grow. If there are leaves in the way, it will prevent the production of new roots.

If you’re planning to plant your new sprig right away, cut the top of the sprig at a 45 degree angle. This will cut off the old bits and will leave a fresh opening for moisture and air to get in.

If you want to wait before planting, that’s okay too. Simply wrap your sprig in a plastic bag and store it in your fridge.

Rooting Hormone

This step is optional, but it’s always a good choice. If you’d like your plant to grow faster, you can dip your clipping in rooting hormone before placing it in the soil. Don’t dip the whole clipping, of course. You’ll only want to dip the 1-2 inches of bare stem.

Rooting hormones are great for producing fast growth and healthy roots. However, some people prefer to do without it. You’ll likely be consuming your rosemary in the future and some people don’t like to have that additive in their plant.

However, whether you plan to use growth hormone or not will determine how you’re going to grow your plant.

How To Grow Rosemary Cuttings

Soil (Root Hormone)

If you dip your plant in root hormone, you can immediately plant the stem into a potting soil mix with good drainage. Your plant will begin to grow new roots at about 2-3 weeks. You should plant them in a 4″ pot about an 1″ deep. You can plant up to 3 sprigs in a single pot.

Read more about the best soil for rosemary here.

Water (No Root Hormone)

If you’re not using root hormone, your plant will take about 8 weeks to produce new roots. Because it takes so much longer for them to develop roots, you’ll want to be able to keep an eye on your roots. Keeping an eye on the clipping will ensure that your new plant has established a new root structure before you move it to new soil.

To keep your rosemary plant healthy while it establishes these new roots, the stem should be placed in water. The water should be deep enough that the 2″ of bare stem is fully submerged. However, be careful that none of the leafed part of the plant is covered by water.

You may begin to see new roots emerge around 3-4 weeks, but it can take up to 8 weeks. After these roots have begun to appear, you can move them to soil similar to how we described above.

You can read my full guide to rooting rosemary in water here.

Maturing Plant

As your plant is growing, it’s best to keep it in a warm, humid place like a greenhouse. You can also keep them by a windowsill covered in a plastic sandwich bag. This will help them get the humidity and sunlight they need to do well.

You will notice new growth really begin to take off around 6-8 weeks.

How To Care For Your New Rosemary Plant

Rosemary plants are very easy to take care of, but they do have their own preferences and needs. To learn exactly how to care for your rosemary plant, check out our article here.

Final Words on Growing Rosemary from Cuttings

I hope you have found this guide to how to propagate rosemary from cutting useful. Propagating rosemary from fresh rosemary plants is arguably the best way to grow a new plant. It’s super easy to do, especially if you have a rosemary plant already on hand. If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own rosemary plant, you now have the tools to do it.

Want to learn more? Click here to find all my guides to growing rosemary. You can also read my full guide to how big rosemary gets here or click here to read how to propagate rosemary in water.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Grow Rosemary From Cuttings appeared first on Gardening Chief.

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Is Rosemary Easy To Grow?

Fortunately, growing rosemary plants is very easy. Growing them from seeds is simple, and growing from cuttings is even easier if you have them available. Seeds are not much more difficult than planting with cuttings, it simply takes more time and patience.

How Big Does Rosemary Grow?

When most people think of herbs, they imagine the small plants that you can grow in your kitchen. You know the ones — the ones where you simply set up a small container to grow your greens in. Unfortunately, or fortunately — depending on what you’re looking for — rosemary will grow to be quite large. Even the smallest rosemary plants are likely to be too big to grow in your kitchen.

There are several different kinds of rosemary plants, and some will grow larger than others. Rosemary plants are divided into two different groups: those that grow tall and upright and those that are classified as creeping ground cover.

The rosemary plants that grow tall and upright will grow much larger overall. Not only can they grow 4-8 feet in height, but they can also grow 4-8 feet in width.

On the other hand, creeping ground cover will only grow about 1-2 feet in height. Despite their short height, they can grow to 4-8 feet in length.

Of course, exactly how big a rosemary plant grows depends on which type of plant it is. There are several types of rosemary and they all grow uniquely.

Read my full guide to how big rosemary grows here.

How Long Does It Take To Grow Rosemary?

Rosemary is a very slow-growing plant and it will take years to reach its full height and width. Still, despite growing so slowly, some plants can grow up to 8 feet high and 8 feet wide. This can sometimes take up to 10 years.

There isn’t much to describe about the life stages of rosemary. What we do know is that rosemary can be grown as either an annual or perennial plant. If it’s grown as an annual, it will complete its life cycle in one year.

As a perennial, it will take several years for the plant to reach its adult stage. However, the plant will continue growing after that.

You will begin to see flowers blooming at about 2 years of age.

How Long Do Rosemary Seeds Take To Germinate?

We’ll go into more depth about seeds and their growth later. However, it generally takes rosemary seeds about 2-3 weeks to germinate.

How Long Does Rosemary Take To Grow From Seed?

Starting your rosemary plants from scratch can prove to be quite difficult. It’s likely that only about 30% of your seeds will sprout, so you should plan to plant more seeds than you actually need.

To plant seeds, you’ll need high-quality seed-starting soil and a small pot or tray. The seeds shouldn’t be placed more than 1/4 inch deep into the soil. For germination, the seeds should be kept at a consistent temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. The seeds should then be placed under a light or next to a window where they’ll receive lots of light.

Germination will usually occur within 2-3 weeks, but can take up to 3 months. After this time, you’ll begin to see sprouts appear.

How Long Does It Take Rosemary To Grow From Cuttings?

If you’ve never planted anything before, it’ll be easier to begin with cuttings rather than seeds. The best way to propagate rosemary is by using softwood cuttings when planting in the spring. If you plan to plant in Autumn, it’ll be easier to use semi-ripe cuttings.

To grow a rosemary plant from a cutting, you’ll simply cut a piece from the plant. This is similar to what you would do when cutting a piece to use in your cooking.

Before taking a cutting from your plant, make sure it’s well watered and there is lots of new growth occurring. Avoid taking cuttings from stems with flowers because they’re hard to propagate.

Instead, pick healthy stems with lots of new growth and cut about 4-6 inches from the tip of the stem. Make sure that your pruning shears are well-sharpened so that you can make a smooth cut. Having to cut into the stem multiple times due to a dull shear will destroy plant tissue. If the plant has destroyed tissue, you will be less likely to have success.

Make sure the lower 1-2 inches of the stem are clear. If you need to, you can remove any leaves from this area.

Next, place the plant with its stem in high quality potting mix and it will begin to take root. You’ll want to use a 4 inch pot for this. To speed up the process, some people use rooting hormone.

3-4 cuttings can be placed in each 4-ich pot, and they should be placed about 1 inch deep into the soil. Unlike with seeds, you’ll want to place the cuttings in a shady area to prevent them from drying out.

So, what time frame can you expect from your cuttings?

If you use root hormone, the cuttings will begin to develop roots and new growth in about 2-3 weeks. If you don’t use root hormone, this can take up to 8 weeks.

Tips To Help Rosemary Grow As Fast As Possible

It’s not hard to grow rosemary to its full potential. You simply need to know what things rosemary needs to stay healthy and recreate that environment for them. Here are some things you can do to grow your plants healthy and strong.

When & Where To Plant Rosemary

When looking to plant rosemary, its best to plant in spring after the last frost. Rosemary seedlings are not very cold tolerant and cannot survive frost. If you’re unsure if it’s going to frost again in your area, it’s safer to just wait a bit.

Likewise, you can also plant rosemary as late as Autumn. However, you’ll want to do so a few weeks before the first Autumn frost.

Rosemary plants become more cold tolerant as they age and can eventually survive colder temperatures. However, if you’re starting out with seeds or cuttings, frost is not your friend.

Read my full guide to planting rosemary here.

Temperature & Sun Requirements for Growing Rosemary

Rosemary plants need lots of sun. Make sure that there are no other plants around to overshadow it. Your plants will need at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight in USDA hardiness zones of 7 and above.

The temperatures range that rosemary grows best in is between 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many adult rosemary plants can survive in cold temperatures and can be left to winter over outside. However, young plants are particularly vulnerable to colder temperatures.

Extreme temperature changes and overly wet soil will easily kill off younger plants. If you have any doubts about planting your rosemary outside, it’s better to begin inside where you can better control the conditions.

Click here to read our full guide to how much sun rosemary needs.

Humidity & Water Requirements for Growing Rosemary

Rosemary plants are used to dry soil conditions, so they don’t need a lot of water to survive. In fact, rosemary is particularly drought-hardy and can survive short periods with no water.

In fact, it’s better to underwater your plant than it is to overwater it. A rosemary plant sitting in overly wet soil can drown. It can also develop rotting of the roots and fungal diseases.

Usually, it’s best to allow the soil to dry almost completely before watering your rosemary plant.

Soil Conditions for Growing Rosemary

In nature, rosemary is used to dry, arid conditions. For this reason, it’s going to do better in well-draining soil which is moderately fertile. Sandy soil that dries well is the best option for your rosemary plants. Rosemary plants do tolerate a wide range of pH’s, so that’s a plus. pH can range from 5-8, but it grows best in a pH of 6-7.5.

When To Harvest Rosemary

Many people harvest their rosemary plants because the leaves are great for cooking and medicinal usages. Be careful not to harvest the leaves too early, though. You’ll want to wait until the plant is at least 12-15 months old.

The leaves can be harvested at any time of year. Still, the leaves will grow most during the spring and summer, so this is the ideal time to harvest.

When you do harvest, it’s best to do it in the morning after the dew has evaporated. This will prevent the leaves from becoming too dry.

It’s recommended to take cuttings on a regular cycle. Many plant keepers do it once a month. This helps your plant to stay healthy and produce new growth.

How To Harvest Rosemary

Always harvest the greenest part of the plant — this is the part of the plant that tastes the best.

Avoid harvesting too much on a younger plant. Removing too many of the leaves from a young plant will make it harder for them to grow back for next season. Look for branches that are at least 8 inches long.

Never trim more than 1/3 of the stem at one time or you may hinder its ability to regrow. Taking only about 2-3 inches of the stem is sufficient. Let each stem grow back to 8 inches before harvesting again.

Should You Prune Rosemary Bushes?

It is a great idea to prune your rosemary bushes. It will help them to stay healthy and will promote better growth for the next season. Besides encouraging new growth, pruning will simply help your plant look nicer by maintaining size and shape.

It’s best to prune your rosemary plants in late spring or early Autumn once the flowers have begun to die. This only needs done about once a season.

When pruning, take care to only cut back a few inches. You don’t want to cut back too far or it will actually make it harder for your plant to regrow. Avoid cutting back into old wood.

Not pruning your plants can make them unhealthy. If you don’t prune them, they will accumulate deadwood which will make it more difficult for them to produce new growth.

Rosemary plants will become bushier and accumulate more wood the more it grows. Too much of this will decrease your plant’s access to sunlight and air circulation.

Besides encouraging growth and keeping your plant healthy, pruning is even useful in propagation. Rather than discarding the clippings, you can keep them to grow new rosemary plants.

How Long Does Rosemary Last?

If it is taken care of properly, rosemary can live to 10 years old or more. Some plant owners have reported their rosemary plants living up to 15-20 years.

To get your plant to live this long, you’ll want plenty of warm, dry air, well-drained soil, and plenty of sun. If you need more guidance on how to take care of your rosemary plant, check out our suggestions above.

Final Words on How Fast Rosemary Grows

Rosemary is a slow-growing plant that can take years to reach it full height and width. Still, it grows to be a large plant, and it can be used for over 10 years when planted in the right conditions. You can choose to buy your plant already as an adult, or choose to grow it from seeds or cuttings. Either way, growing and taking care of these plants is quite easy, you just need to provide it with its ideal conditions. Yes, these are slow-growing plants. But, if you take care of them — providing ideal conditions, harvesting, and pruning — you’ll have a large, healthy plant for years to come.

Want to learn more? Click here to find all my guides to growing rosemary. You can also read my full guide to how big rosemary gets here or click here to learn how to grow rosemary from a cutting.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How Fast Do Rosemary Plants Grow? appeared first on Gardening Chief.

If you want to keep your plant small, I also discuss how to do this.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Grow Rosemary?

Rosemary is a very nice smelling herb that is used for cooking many dishes. Rosemary, or Salvia rosmarinus, is a perennial plant. This means that it comes back year after year, rather than dying after it’s first bloom. It is also an evergreen plant which means that it retains its leaves year round.

Not only does rosemary smell and taste good, but it’s visually appealing as well. As we said, it’s an evergreen shrub, so you can admire it and use it year round. The plant boasts firm, wooded stems covered by thin, needle-like leaves. The leaves are a beautiful gray-green color.

Rosemary plants even produce pretty flowers to add to their appearance. Small, light blue and white flowers will grow in clusters across the plant. You’ll most often see these flowers in spring and summer when the conditions are right for them.

How Big Does Rosemary Grow?

How big your rosemary plant will grow depends on your environmental conditions and what kind of rosemary plant you have. Ideal conditions will help your plant grow the best it can.

However, there are several types of rosemary plants and they all grow a bit differently. So, how big can rosemary grow? Here are four of the most common varieties:

Rosemary Varieties and Their Size

Arp: This first rosemary plant is more moderate in the growth department. It will grow about 3 feet high and 3 feet wide. It is also known to grow stiffly upright, its foliage not spreading out as much as the others.

Golden Rain: This is one of the smaller kinds of rosemary plants. It will usually only grow to heights of 2-3 feet, and its width will be about the same.

Albus: These plants are another one of the taller rosemary plants. They also grow in a more rigid, upright orientation. They will typically grow between 4-6 feet tall.

Prostratus: This form of the rosemary plant is best known for its low growth. This is the shortest kind of rosemary plant, only reaching heights of about 2 feet. Instead, it grows wider, spreading about 2-3 feet across the ground.

How Tall Do Rosemary Plants Grow?

Rosemary is actually classified as a shrub and can grow to be quite large. At it’s smallest, it might only be 2 feet. However, some plants can reach upwards of 6 feet. Their large size doesn’t stop with height, either. As a shrub, it can grow 2-4 feet wide. Of course, the overall height depends on the type of rosemary plant, as we covered above.

How Big Is A Sprig Of Rosemary?

A sprig is much smaller than the plant itself. A sprig refers to the short clipping that you remove from the plant. Most people use these clippings to cook, and the recommended length is 4-6 inches long.

You can read my guide to how fast rosemary grows here.

Tips To Help Rosemary Grow As Big As Possible

If you want your rosemary plants to grow as big as possible, you’ll want to do everything right. Growing these plants in the right conditions are bound to leave you with wonderful, healthy plants.

When Should Rosemary Be Planted?

Rosemary responds best when it’s planted in the spring after any chance of frost is gone. If you are still worried about a frosty morning popping up, don’t chance it. Your new rosemary plant won’t withstand a cold frost.

If you don’t want to wait for spring, you can always begin growing your plant inside. A rosemary plant kept indoors can be grown at any time of year. Just make sure all their other growing conditions are just right.

How Fast Does Rosemary Grow?

These plants grow moderately fast.

Seeds will germinate in about 15-25 days when under ideal conditions.

It will take about one year for it to go from its seed stage to its permanent position outside. Still, it won’t reach full maturity for a few years.

The second year is when you’ll begin to notice flowers blossoming.

If you want to help your rosemary plant grow faster, you should transplant the plant into a larger pot twice a year.

What Sun Exposure does Rosemary Need?

Rosemary does best when it’s in full sun. You should not plant your rosemary plant in an area where there are other trees or shrubs.

If you’re growing your plant indoors, the same thing applies. Make sure your plant is by a sunny window at all times with nothing overshadowing it. A south facing window will be the best option if you have one available. Many caretakers also purchase grow lights made specifically for plants. When it is warmer, you can bring your plant outside for some natural sunlight.

Overall, you should make sure that your rosemary plant is receiving at least 6 hours of full sun a day. If your plant doesn’t have access to enough sunlight, your plant will be weak and won’t grow well.

Click here for my full guide to how much sun rosemary needs.

What Temperature & Humidity does Rosemary Need?

As you can probably tell, rosemary plants like to be warm and sunny. They grow best in temperatures that are warm with moderately high humidity levels.

We stated above that you shouldn’t plant your rosemary plant when there’s still a chance for frost. This is because they will die in temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the other end of the spectrum, rosemary plants can survive much hotter temperatures and will even do well throughout a drought. Still, they do best in more moderate temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Just as these plants don’t tolerate the cold, they also won’t tolerate higher humidity levels. Too much humidity and moisture will cause rotting and fungal issues. These problems will increase the less circulation is in the air.

What Soil Conditions Does Rosemary Need?

Rosemary doesn’t like a lot of water. It does best in sandy, loamy soil that is well drained. You should never plant them in clay soils or soils that get very wet. Your rosemary bush won’t do well in these conditions.

The plant can handle soil that is slightly acidic. The pH of the soil should be kept around 6.0-7.0.

Besides knowing what kind of soil to plant rosemary in, you’ll want to know how to plant it. Rosemary plants should never be planted directly side by side. If you want multiple plants, they should be spaced 2-3 feet from each other.

If you purchase seedlings or nursery plants, they should be planted at the same depth you got them in their container. If you are starting from scratch with seeds, the seeds should be just barely covered with soil.

Click here to read more about the best soil for rosemary.

How Much Water Does Rosemary Need?

Rosemary plants are very tolerant of drought. Unlike many plants, it’s actually better to underwater rosemary than it is to overwater it. They are more likely to survive a slight drought than they are to survive oversaturation.

Because they’re so intolerant of water, you should allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Of course, you don’t want the soil to dry out completely, although it’s not the end of the world if this happens. Instead, water your plant when the soil is moist, but not overly wet.

When To Harvest Rosemary

Because rosemary is an evergreen plant, it can be harvested at any time of year. However, the plant grows the most during the spring and summer, so this is when it’s best to harvest its leaves.

Also, the leaves smell and taste better just as the plant is about to bloom, so spring and summer are certainly the best times of year to harvest.

How To Harvest Rosemary

Harvesting rosemary plants is quite easy. Because the plant is so big, you can usually take as much as you like. It’s recommended to use plant pruners to cut the stem tips off.

You should cut about 4-6 inches from the stem tip for best results. You can harvest as many of these stems tips as you like, and there will still be plenty left over.

How To Best Keep Your Rosemary Plant Small

Many people like to grow their rosemary plants inside. Obviously, if you’re keeping your plant inside, you won’t want it to become too big. So, how do you keep it smaller?

The best option if you want a smaller plant is to pick one that is naturally small. The Blue Boy rosemary plant is a great option because it grows slowly and never gets above 2 feet tall.

But, there is one way that you can manually keep your plant small as well.

Every two to three years, you’ll want to remove the root ball and trim the roots. This will prevent the plant from becoming root-bound, and it will keep the plant on the smaller side. Here’s how to prune the roots:

• Take scissors or pruners and remove the bottom third of the plant
• Next, starting from the bottom of the root ball and working up, make two vertical cuts. You’ll make these cuts inwards of the root balls. The cuts will be an inch in from the sides. You’ll only want to do this for about a third of the way up from the root ball.
• Replant with fresh soil and water.

This is the only known way to keep your rosemary plant smaller, and it’s not entirely effective. You can only prevent your plant from growing so much without causing damage.

Your best bet is to simply get a rosemary plant that is naturally smaller.

Final Words on How Big Rosemary Grows

Growing your own rosemary is a great idea. It’s a nice looking plant that will produce beautiful flowers in the spring. The best part, of course, is having fresh rosemary herb right at your fingertips. Growing your own rosemary is the best way to get it. Just know that these plants can grow quite large and need specific care. If you’re up for the task, you’ll have fresh rosemary for years to come.

Want to learn more? Click here to find all my rosemary guides. You can click here to find out how to freeze rosemary and here for whether you can plant rosemary with tomatoes. You can also read where to plant rosemary here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How Big Does Rosemary Grow? [Growing Healthy Herbs] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

While rosemary is an easy plant to grow, it can be quite picky about its soil. It needs sand-like well-draining soil to stay happy. So, which types of soil are truly best for rosemary?

Below, I discuss whether to grow rosemary in pots or in the garden before describing what criteria makes for great rosemary soil and what rosemary doesn’t like. I then summarize what soil for rosemary plants is best before giving some final tips for picking the best potting soil for rosemary plant.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Grow Rosemary?

The main reasons people like to grow rosemary is because it’s a beautiful plant that can be used in cooking. If you grow rosemary at home, you’ll have fresh herbs year round to use in your dishes.

Still not convinced? Check out all these reasons to grow rosemary at home.

Should You Grow Rosemary In Pots Vs Garden

Have you wondered whether it’s better to grow your rosemary in the garden or in a pot? Neither is really better than the other. Whichever location you choose depends on your preferences.

Growing Rosemary in Pots

Pots can be easier if you like to have more control over your plants. In a pot, you can control what kind of soil your plant gets, how much drainage it gets, and where it grows.

Some people live in regions where rosemary simply won’t survive outside over winter (more here) . People living in USDA hardiness zones 7 or below must bring their rosemary plants inside over winter. If your plants are potted year round, it simply makes this process easier.

Even if you live in an area where rosemary can survive the winter, some people still prefer to keep their plants inside.

Growing Rosemary in Gardens

Keeping your rosemary in a garden is often easier because the plant gets so large. Some rosemary plants can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. This makes it hard to keep them inside. Outside, you also don’t have to worry as much about overwatering them, or worrying about there being too much fertilizer.

For more pros and cons of planting your rosemary in a garden versus a pot, read our full article.

Criteria For The Best Rosemary Soil Type

Rosemary really doesn’t like overly attentive gardeners, especially where water is involved. Too many inexperienced plant keepers will overwater their plants. After all, it’s better to overwater your plants than underwater… Right?

In fact, rosemary doesn’t like a lot of water. They would much rather be underwatered than overwatered. So, how does this play into getting the correct soil? Well, the type of soil you purchase is going to have a direct impact on how much water your plant is getting.

So, what are rosemary soil requirements? What type of soil does rosemary like? What is the best type of soil for rosemary?

Rosemary needs sand-like soil that drains very well. This type of soil allows the roots to trap just the right amount of water for the rosemary’s needs. It also helps provide adequate air circulation around the roots.

Although most soil used in gardens is not suitable for rosemary, the rosemary plants will do just fine. This is because gardens are often deep-structured and the soil is constantly exposed to air. This gives the soil plenty of time to dry out before the next watering.

The scenario is quite different if you’re going to grow your rosemary in a pot, though. That soil remains sheltered at all times, so you’ll want to get soil designed correctly for your rosemary.

What To Avoid In Rosemary Soil

Although it’s an easy plant to grow and care for, rosemary is quite picky about the kind of soil it lives in. You should avoid using only regular potting soil because this won’t be enough for your rosemary. Most gardeners who have tried this in the past are unable to keep their rosemary plants alive.

You’ll also want to avoid soils with added fertilizers or wetting agents. Rosemary doesn’t like a lot of water, so the last thing it needs is a wetting agent. Also, rosemary likes low to moderate fertilizer. While it is important to provide your rosemary with fertilizer, you should have control over how much goes in.

Best Soil Mix For Rosemary In Pots

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your rosemary plant is getting plenty of nutrients. It’s usually not difficult for garden plants to get nutrients. But, plants kept in a pot are often deprived of the nutrients they need. When choosing a potting mix, you want to make sure it’s rich in vitamins and nutrients.

You’re also going to want to keep the soil’s pH in mind. Rosemary can grow in a wide range of pH’s: between 6-8. They do best in slightly acidic soil, so it’s better to get a pH below 7 if you can.

Many times, you won’t find a single soil type that is suitable for growing rosemary in pots. Instead, you should create your own combination of soils. Here is the best soil for rosemary in containers…

Potting Soil & Perlite

One such combination is 2/3 regular potting soil with 1/3 Perlite. This is the simplest way to create potting soil for your rosemary, and it’s also the most used by gardeners across America.

Potting soil alone is not going to be good enough for your rosemary, though. Gardeners like to add some Perlite because it helps the soil to flush out any excess water.

The only downside to this potting mix is that it still may not drain enough. If this is the case, simply add more Perlite until you notice your rosemary plant perking up. You can also try reducing how often you water your rosemary.

Cactus Soil & Perlite

If you’re still finding that your rosemary plant isn’t getting enough drainage with regular potting soil and Perlite, you can try another option. Replace the regular potting soil with cactus soil. You’ll want 1/2 cactus soil and 1/2 Perlite for ideal drainage.

Cactus soil is widely used among gardeners for many herbs. It’s ideal for rosemary because, as we said before, rosemary doesn’t like a lot of water. As we all know, cactuses don’t like a lot of water either, so this soil is going to drain very well.

Why can’t you just use 100% cactus soil, then? It’s going to be too harsh for your rosemary. Cactus is designed specifically for cacti and succulents who require even less water than rosemary. Adding Perlite eases the harshness on your rosemary’s roots. The Perlite keeps your plant’s roots well-aerated. It also helps the roots to retain more water than if you used cactus soil alone.

The one downside of this mix is that it won’t have as many nutrients as regular potting mix. But, if regular potting mix isn’t working for you, this is going to be the best option.

Enriching products, like vermiculite, have water-trapping properties. This is why it’s not added to cactus soil in the first place. However, cactus soil may sometimes prevent your rosemary from getting enough water. In this case, adding vermiculite will help solve the problem. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself watering your rosemary more than usual.

Should You Change The Soil When Growing Rosemary In Pots?

You will definitely want to change the soil in your rosemary’s pot every few months. After awhile, the nutrients in the soil will be used up, and the overall composition of the soil will change. The soil will become less porous and there will no longer be any nutrients. If you don’t replace it with fresh soil, your plants can die.

Soil should be routinely replaced every few months. This is one of the best things you can do to keep your plant healthy and thriving. Soil devoid of nutrients will slowly drain your plant until it wilts and dies.

Best Soil For Rosemary In The Garden

When it comes to what is the best soil for rosemary plant, it’s not necessary to use potting mix if you’re growing rosemary in your garden. Most soils will work well because there’s plenty of space for the water to drain.

Still, if you want your rosemary to thrive, you should try to plant it in soil that drains well and is low in fertility.

To better know how to care for your rosemary in a garden, read our full guide.

Other Tips for Growing Rosemary

Perlite & Sand

You’ll notice that we suggested adding Perlite to your soil. Perlite is a sand-like material that helps with drainage. Although rosemary likes sand-like soils, you cannot replace Perlite with regular beach sand. Beach sand particles are too small and will cause the soil to drain too slowly.

If you don’t want to use Perlite, you can substitute it for horticultural sand which is coarser and allows for more air flow.

Peat Moss

You never want to place peat moss around your rosemary whether it’s in the garden or outside. Peat moss will completely harden in full sun conditions. As you know, rosemary requires full sun to thrive. Hardened peat moss will act as a water repellant, preventing your rosemary from getting the water it needs.

Final Words on the Best Soil for Rosemary

I hope you have found this guide to what soil does rosemary like useful. Rosemary is not a very picky plant when it comes to growing. Even beginners can grow this plant because it’s so hardy. Still, rosemary is quite particular about two things: sun and soil. Rosemary does not do well with a lot of water. It needs well-draining soil regardless of if it’s in a pot or a garden. Still, it’s not hard to pick good soil for your plant. A mix of potting soil and Perlite or cactus soil and Perlite is the best option. Keep those plants growing healthy!

Want to learn more? Click here to read my guide to growing rosemary from cuttings or here from growing it in water. You can also find my guide to when to plant rosemary here, the best growing conditions here or all my rosemary guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Best Soil For Rosemary (In Pots And In Gardens) appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Besides that, if you’re worried about your rosemary plant spreading too much, just get an upright plant. There are many kinds of rosemary plants and some don’t spread much at all. Below, you will find my full guide to how rosemary spreads including whether it’s invasive, how to stop it spreading, whether you should plant it in pots and what the best soil and sun conditions are for rosemary.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Grow Rosemary?

There are a lot of great reasons to grow rosemary, but the main reason is its usefulness. Rosemary is used for cooking in many dishes like soups, roasts, and sauces. By growing your own rosemary plant, you can save a lot of money that you would have wasted at the grocery store.

Rosemary can also be used as incense and essential oils to treat mild symptoms of anxiety, joint pain, and memory loss.

Not only that, but it’s a beautiful plant that adds character to your garden. The needle-like leaves are a rich green coloration, and flowers will bloom on the plants in spring.

Does Rosemary Spread Like Mint?

Rosemary is similar to mint in that it can spread — depending on the type of rosemary plant — but it’s not usually a problem like mint can be.

How Mint Spreads Compared to Rosemary

Mint is a different kind of plant than rosemary. It’s fast growing and can quickly take over a garden if left unchecked. It’s been observed that mint can grow up to 4 inches every month, and it doesn’t stop. A single plant can grow up to 2 feet in only 6 months.

But it doesn’t stop there. Mint plants grow using rhizomes that creep along the ground. As the rhizomes move away from the original plant, more plants sprout up, adding onto the original. This means that new plants are continually sprouting onto the original, spreading out into new areas. Because of this, mint will seemingly never stop growing and can easily overtake garden space.

How Rosemary Spreads Compared to Mint

The difference with rosemary is that it does not have rhizomes. It simply has stems that will just grow longer and longer. This means that a rosemary plant is only one single plant. This is unlike mint that can grow multiple plants from one original plant.

So, some species of rosemary do creep along the ground. But, they’re unlikely to become out-of-control like mint plants.

In fact, rosemary is a slow-growing plant. It can take several years for it to grow to its full potential. At its biggest, rosemary can grow 8 feet wide. Still, there are many rosemary plants that don’t grow nearly that wide.

You can read more about how fast rosemary grows here.

Types of Rosemary and How they Spread

When it comes to rosemary and how it grows, we divide the plant into four categories: tall and upright, low and spreading, prostrate, and others that don’t fit into a clear category.

Low & Upright Rosemary

For our purposes today, we’ll cover the rosemary plants that are “low and spreading”. These include plants such as “Blue Lagoon”, “Collingwood Ingram”, “Lockwood de Forest”, “Wendy’s White”, and “Benenden Blue”.

Blue Lagoon: This plant has brilliant blue flowers that bloom from winter into spring. The flowers attracts bees and necter-eating birds. It can reach heights of 6 feet and widths of 6 feet.

Collingwood Ingram: This plant has blue flowers with a light scent and dark green foliage. It can reach heights of 2 feet and widths of 4 feet.

Lockwood de Forest: This has pale blue flowers that bloom in the spring with light green foliage. It can reach heights of 2 feet and widths of 6-8 feet.

Wendy’s White: Smokey white flowers with grey green leaves. It can reach heights of 4 feet and widths of 3 feet.

Benenden Blue: Dark blue flowers that grow during winter with deep green leaves. It can reach heights of 3 feet and widths of 3 feet.

Is Rosemary Invasive?

Whether or not rosemary can be considered invasive is up for some debate. Technically, it is only considered invasive in Cuba. However, it is listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds as a “casual alien, cultivation escape, garden thug, naturalised, weed.”

The USDA does not consider rosemary to be invasive in the United States right now, but that has the potential to change. It has great regeneration abilities through both seeds and cuttings. It is heat and drought tolerant, and it lives in soil types that most plants find inhospitable.

For now, the USDA says that rosemary has a “negligible” potential of becoming an invasive weed. However, that potential has been increasing with the rise of its commercial use and rising popularity.

How Quickly Does Rosemary Spread?

Rosemary is a very slow growing plant that will take several years to reach full maturity. Besides that, the widest one of these plants will spread is up to 8 feet.

How Can You Stop Rosemary Spreading?

Fortunately, it’s really not difficult to stop your rosemary from spreading. It’s a very slow grower, so you simply need to prune it when it’s getting too long for your liking. It’s a good idea to prune your rosemary regularly anyway. Pruning your rosemary at least once a year will help keep your plant healthy.

Can Rosemary Be Grown In Pots? Does This Stop It Spreading?

Rosemary absolutely can be grown in pots, but this won’t necessarily stop it from spreading. Many creeping kinds of rosemary will simply spill out over the side of the pot they’re in. Most people that choose to pot these types of rosemary like this aesthetic, though. Usually, this is the look they’re going for. The best way to prevent rosemary from spreading is to simply get a non-spreading rosemary plant. There are plenty of kinds of rosemary that grow tall rather than wide.

If you already have a spreading rosemary plant and don’t want to discard it, simply trim it down with some pruning.

What Soil And Sun Conditions Help Rosemary Thrive?

Fortunately, rosemary plants are easy to take care of, although they do have some specific requirements.

To successfully thrive, rosemary needs at least 6-8 hours of full sun. It can tolerate small amounts of shade, but full sun is best to keep it healthy. Most gardeners recommend that you keep your rosemary plant on the east side of your house where the sun rises. This allows your plant to get more than enough sun throughout the day.

Click here to read more about where to plant rosemary.

Similarly, rosemary does not like a lot of water. Of course, it needs water to survive, but too much can drown it and cause it to rot. Because of this, rosemary prefers soil that is sand-like and is well-draining. It also can tolerate a wide range of pH’s, but does best in a pH between 6-7.5.

To learn more about the care that rosemary needs to thrive, check out our full guide here.

Final Words on How Rosemary Spreads

Although some rosemary plants do spread, there are many that don’t. If you don’t want a rosemary plant that spreads, simply get one that grows tall and upright rather than creeps along the ground. Still, if you like the look of the creeping rosemary, they’re very easy to care for. These plants are slow growing, and they’re easy to prune. It’s very easy to prevent your garden from becoming overrun by rosemary plants.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how to grow rosemary from cuttings and here to learn if you can plant it with tomatoes. Find out what rosemary repels here. You can also find all my rosemary guides here.

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