Rosemary

📖 About This Plant

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial Mediterranean herb with aromatic, needle-like leaves that have flavored European cooking for over two thousand years. It is one of the most drought-tolerant kitchen herbs, once its roots are established, and thrives in conditions — full sun, poor soil, low water — that would stress most other plants. In zones 7–10, rosemary grows into a fragrant landscape shrub reaching 2–4 feet tall and equally wide, producing delicate blue flowers in late winter or spring that attract early pollinators. The flavor is intensely aromatic with pine-and-camphor notes that complement lamb, roasted vegetables, bread, and olive oil in ways that dried rosemary simply cannot replicate.

📊 Quick Facts

📅 When to Plant in Your Area

🌱 Care Tips

Plant rosemary in full sun with excellent drainage — it is among the plants most frequently killed by overwatering and poor drainage rather than cold. In zones 5–6 where rosemary is borderline hardy, grow in containers that can be brought indoors, or select hardier cultivars like 'Arp' or 'Hill Hardy' (reliably cold-hardy to about -10°F in a protected spot). Work coarse sand or fine gravel into clay soils before planting. Water new plants regularly for the first growing season; once established, water only during prolonged dry spells — once every 2–3 weeks in summer is usually sufficient. Avoid wetting the foliage. Feed once in early spring with a balanced fertilizer; additional feeding is rarely necessary and promotes soft, less aromatic growth. Prune lightly after flowering in spring to encourage bushy form, but never cut back into woody stems that have no green growth. Harvest sprigs continuously through the growing season — regular harvesting keeps the plant compact and well-branched.

🤝 Companion Plants

These plants grow well alongside Rosemary:

🌿 Related Herb

More herb that grow in similar conditions:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions