Herb · Perennial herb
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinusA woody Mediterranean shrub that thrives on poor soil and neglect, rosemary is as much a small hedge plant as a kitchen herb. Established plants tolerate real drought once their roots are down. The one rule: never let it sit in wet soil over winter.
Sow depth
Set root ball at soil level
Spacing
24 in apart
Sun
Full sun
Germination
20–30 days to establish
Time to harvest
80–100 days
Difficulty
Moderate
When to sow rosemary
- Sow from around your last expected frost until about 8 weeks after your last expected frost.
Buy young plants or cuttings — seed germination is slow and unreliable.Improve drainage with grit or raised beds before setting plants out.Water in well, then let the surface dry between waterings while roots establish.
Prune after flowering — trim lightly to keep growth bushy, not woody.Avoid rich fertilizer; lean soil produces the most aromatic foliage.Protect containerized plants from waterlogging and hard frost in exposed sites.
Snip sprigs anytime — established plants tolerate year-round light picking.Cut woody stems just above a leaf node to encourage branching.Harvest before flowering for the most concentrated oil and flavor.