Every home kitchen ought to utilize FRESH HERBS. My personal favorite is rosemary. There is nothing quite as aromatically spectacular as a filet mignon searing in a pan with Rosemary & Butter. Mmmmm, I can smell it now. Can you?
But how do you properly care for rosemary? Let’s dive into how to grow, maintain, and overwinter rosemary so you can enjoy fresh sprigs year-round.
🌿 Why Grow Your Own Rosemary?
✅ Hardy & Low-Maintenance – Once established, rosemary thrives with minimal care.
✅ Evergreen Beauty – It stays green all year round in warm climates.
✅ Incredible Flavor – Fresh rosemary elevates roasted meats, potatoes, and homemade bread.
✅ Aromatic & Therapeutic – Just brushing against it releases stress-relieving essential oils.
✅ Repels Pests – Rosemary’s strong scent naturally deters mosquitoes and certain garden pests.
🌱 How to Grow Rosemary
Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb, meaning it loves warmth, sun, and well-drained soil. Here’s how to give it the best growing conditions.
1️⃣ Choosing the Right Spot
🌞 Full Sun: Rosemary thrives in 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or use a grow light.
🌱 Well-Draining Soil: Rosemary hates wet feet! Use sandy, loamy soil or mix potting soil with perlite for better drainage.
💨 Good Airflow: Rosemary doesn’t like humidity—plant it where air circulates well to prevent mildew.
2️⃣ Planting Rosemary
🌱 In the Garden: Space plants 18-24 inches apart—rosemary bushes can get 2-4 feet tall!
🌿 In Pots: Use terra cotta pots with drainage holes and a light potting mix to prevent root rot.
👉 Pro Tip: If you live in a cold climate (below 30°F/-1°C in winter), plant rosemary in containers so you can bring it inside.
🌡️ Ideal Temperature & Climate for Rosemary
Rosemary loves warm, dry climates and struggles with cold, wet winters.
✅ Thrives in: 60-80°F (15-27°C)
⚠ Struggles below: 30°F (-1°C)
❄ Cannot survive below: 20°F (-6°C) unless protected
👉 Cold Climate Solution: If you have harsh winters (Zones 6 and below), you’ll need to bring rosemary indoors or grow it in containers.
🥶 How to Grow Rosemary in Cold Climates
If your winters drop below 20°F (-6°C), rosemary won’t survive unprotected outdoors. Here’s how to keep it alive:
Option 1: Bring It Indoors
🏡 Move it inside before the first frost.
💡 Place in a sunny window (6+ hours of light) or use a grow light.
💨 Keep near good airflow to prevent mildew.
🌱 Water sparingly—only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
Option 2: Mulch & Protect Outdoors (For Zones 7-8)
- Cover the base with 3-4 inches of mulch (straw, pine needles, or bark) to insulate the roots.
- Use a frost cloth or burlap to shield it from freezing winds.
- Plant against a south-facing wall to absorb heat.
👉 Pro Tip: Some rosemary varieties (like ‘Arp’ and ‘Hill Hardy’) are cold-tolerant down to 10-15°F (-12°C).
💦 Watering & Feeding Rosemary
🔹 Rosemary HATES overwatering! Let the soil dry out between waterings.
🔹 Water once a week outdoors, even less in winter.
🔹 Indoors: Water every 2-3 weeks (only when the soil is dry to the touch).
🔹 Fertilizer? Not much needed! Feed with a light compost tea or diluted fish fertilizer once a month during spring/summer.
✂️ Pruning & Harvesting Rosemary
Regular pruning keeps rosemary bushy and productive.
✂️ When to prune: Spring and summer (avoid heavy pruning in winter).
🌿 How to harvest: Cut just above a leaf node—this encourages new growth.
✅ Don’t take more than ⅓ of the plant at a time to avoid stress.
👉 Pro Tip: Dry excess rosemary by hanging it upside down in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks.
🌱 Best Rosemary Varieties to Grow
There are many types of rosemary—some grow upright, while others creep and cascade.
| Variety | Growth Habit | Cold Tolerance | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscan Blue | Upright, tall | Moderate (Zones 8-11) | Cooking & landscaping |
| Arp | Cold-hardy | Hardy to 10°F (-12°C) | Best for northern gardens |
| Prostrate (Trailing) | Low-growing | Moderate | Hanging baskets & ground cover |
| Hill Hardy | Upright | Hardy to 15°F (-9°C) | Winter-resistant |
👉 For cold regions, choose ‘Arp’ or ‘Hill Hardy’ and mulch heavily.
🌿 Common Rosemary Problems & Fixes
🚫 Yellowing Leaves? Too much water—let the soil dry out.
🚫 Leggy Growth? Needs more sunlight—move to a sunnier location.
🚫 Powdery Mildew? Improve airflow and avoid misting leaves.
🚫 Black Leaves or Root Rot? The soil is too wet—use a well-draining mix.
🔥 Final Thoughts: Rosemary is Easy—If You Follow These Steps!
🌱 Rosemary thrives in sunny, dry conditions—so avoid overwatering and give it lots of light!
🥶 In cold climates, bring rosemary inside for the winter or choose cold-hardy varieties.
✂️ Prune often to keep it bushy and harvest fresh sprigs all year round.
Growing rosemary is easier than you think—and once you start, you’ll never go back to buying dried herbs again!
👉 What’s your favorite way to use fresh rosemary? Share your gardening tips in the comments! 🌿
