Growing Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis : Lamiaceae / the mint family

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

(Best months for growing Rosemary in USA - Zone 7a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Plant cuttings . Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 - 59 inches 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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15 May 22, Geri (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Can I safely transplant rosemary out now.
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24 Apr 22, Gina Jones (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there - I am establishing my first vege garden and have 6 raised beds - where can I go to for advice on crop rotation ( I note you have advice on what follows and precedes but where can I find the basics)
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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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Showing 1 - 10 of 47 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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