Rosemary

Growing Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean. Most of us don’t enjoy such a climate, so we do our best to provide for the needs of rosemary. To mimic such a situation, provide well-drained soil or potting mix, four hours of full sun (at least), and water every day (but don’t let the roots sit in water). While rosemary can survive outdoors in zones 7-10 through the winter, other zones must bring it indoors.

During winter, rosemary needs temperatures that aren’t above 65 degrees, but aren’t below 10 degrees. Bring your potted rosemary into the bathroom once a week while you take a hot shower so it can benefit from the steam. If you receive or buy a rosemary tree for Christmas, place the original pot inside a larger pot with rocks in the bottom (and a hole in the bottom of the pot) to encourage proper drainage. Place the plant in a south or west window to receive as much light as possible. You can move the pot outdoors in April-May and then bring it back inside in October.

Fertilize rosemary during the spring and summer months. If it needs to be repotted, do so in the spring, using a pot about 1-2 inches larger in diameter, using well-drained soil. To prune, pinch back tips as necessary to maintain the plants shape. Remove any dead branches completely.