Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary is a woody sun-loving perennial usually set out as transplants two to four weeks after the last spring frost. Sharp drainage matters more than frequent watering in the low water class, and cold wet roots kill plants faster than dry spells in well-drained pots. Tender frost tolerance may require winter protection.
Plant family Lamiaceae · Also called common rosemary
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Transplant into heat and drainage.
Start seed indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost about 0.3 cm deep if growing from seed; germination is 14–28 days. Transplant outdoors two to four weeks after the frost.
Tender frost tolerance means severe winters require indoor protection. Cuttings and nursery transplants are common shortcuts past slow seed.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Size pots for woody root systems.
Allow 45–60 cm between plants with rows about 75 cm. Bush habit becomes woody and wide with age.
Containers need 30 cm depth and about 15 litres with excellent drainage. Terra cotta helps dry roots between waterings.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Let soil dry slightly between drinks.
Eight hours of direct sun is preferred. Rosemary stalls in shade and humid stagnant air.
Low water at 15–25 mm weekly with pH 6.0–8.0. The key tip prioritizes drainage over frequent watering.
Sunlight
Full sun preferred (8+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Low water need.
Allow the upper soil layer to dry slightly between deep waterings; avoid constantly wet soil.
Protect or move plants in hard winters.
Significant harvest begins 90–120 days from transplanting. Snip soft tips rather than heavy woody cuts that recover slowly.
Harvest basis is transplanting. Established shrubs provide year-round sprigs in mild climates.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Excellent drainage matters more than frequent watering; overwinter indoors where winters are severe.
Rosemary growing questions
Why is rosemary often bought as a transplant?
Slow seed and tender frost tolerance make nursery plants common; harvest counts from transplanting.
How should rosemary be watered?
Low need with soil drying slightly between deep waterings; avoid constantly wet soil.
Can rosemary survive hard frost?
Tender classification; overwinter indoors where winters are severe per the key tip.
What indoor lead time does seed need?
10–12 weeks before the last frost with 14–28 day germination.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S4,S5. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
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