Growing Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S                
        T              

(Best months for growing Rosemary in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Plant cuttings . Best planted at soil temperatures between 15°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 - 150 cm apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. In warmer areas, harvest time might be shorter.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, Carrots, Cabbages, Sage
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes
  • Prostrate Rosemary

Rosemary will grow from seeds but this is not recommended as the success rate is very low. Small cuttings are easy to grow. Put in light, sandy soil where you want your plant to grow or start in small pots and plant out when established.

Rosemary comes from warm Mediterranean areas but adapts well to colder climates. In areas of heavy frost, a cutting potted up and kept in a sheltered spot will insure against total loss of your plant over winter.

Dryness suits rosemary, so well-drained soil and sunshine will be best.

Once established rosemary can be harvested all year round.

Rosemary grows well in patio pots or tubs.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosemary

Leaves sprinkled on roast potatoes, meat and barbeque food make them extra tasty.

Rosemary can also be used to add flavour to vinegars and oils.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
27 Mar 24, Joseph L. Roberts (USA - Zone 7a climate)
What rosemary variety is best in 7a (Seymour Texas)
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19 Mar 23, ALB (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Yes. I dug 2 rosemary plants out of my garden in late September and have used a grow light (4) hours daily plus kept them in my sunniest window all winter. They are still making leaves.
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20 Feb 23, (USA - Zone 6a climate)
i am looking for the best rosemary to grow in zone 6a, for inground planting.
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05 Dec 22, Holli (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I bought a potted rosemary plant this month( December), I live in zone 8b, can i plant it outdoors? The next 10 days the weather ranges from a low of my 40 and a high of 79. I plan to cover it if temps drop into 30's. Last year the leaves on my indoor potted rosemary turned black and fell off
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01 Oct 21, Elf Chef (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Can you use a full-spectrum grow lamp for rosemary inside for the winter instead of direct sun?
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21 Nov 21, Nicole (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Yes you sure can. I grow my rosemary in containers and bring them in during the winter. They do great under a full spectrum or just my cheap T4 fluorescent light and I even get quite a bit of growth on them during their time indoors.
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03 Jan 21, Linda Arencibia (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I bought four rosemary plants of substantial size yesterday, ( January 2nd). I live in Virginia in zone 7a. I wonder if I can plant these outside now or if I should wait until Spring. I keep my house at about 70 degrees and do not have any truly sunny rooms. The best and most consistent daylight comes from a patio door on the West side of the house.
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05 Jan 21, E (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You need to judge by how cold it is in your area - frosts etc. Be guided by what it says here about doing cuttings if a lot of frosts. Maybe leave planting out until after the last frost. Plants need sunlight. Maybe put them out in the day and bring in at night if going to be really cold.
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23 Dec 20, Alyssa (USA - Zone 8a climate)
My family and I have been trying to grow rosemary for a few years but we can't seem to get them through the winter. We know they can grow well here as there are plenty outside the shops around town but ours can't seem to survive long enough to get established. We tried wintering them in the garage this year as we have cats and can't keep them inside the house itself but it didn't seem to make a difference. Is there a variety that's better suited to my zone that might have a better chance, or are there any tips that might help me keep these plants going?
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28 Dec 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Is it possible they're getting too much water and/or your soil doesn't drain quickly enough? Rosemary is pretty tough and drought tolerant but it doesn't like being soggy too long, especially in cooler weather. Try adding more grit to the soil so the rosemary can dry out between waterings. You might also ask one of those shops if you can take a few cuttings from their plants, as rosemary is pretty easy to propagate from cuttings, and that way you'd know you have a variety that does well locally. They should be happy to let you, as rosemary needs to be pruned regularly anyway.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 17 comments
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rosemary will handle very harsh treatment and still grow strong I prune mine off regularly with a chainsaw to 1/3rd of their size or less every couple of years and trim them up in between with the same method. I chopped one down to virtually nothing 3 years ago it is now about 4 ft around in every direction, and it was not much more than a stump. pruning them hard gets rid of the dead wood and makes them more bushy so you get more of the tender shoots that are good for cooking.

- Travis Edwards

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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