Rosemary care guide
Salvia rosmarinus
Also known as: Rosmarinus officinalis
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Rosemary
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- Prefers to run dry: water thoroughly a day or two after the topsoil dries, as a guide, in the morning or evening in midsummer.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 5 days
- The soil dries more slowly, so wait two or three days after it dries, as a guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Outdoors, rain usually covers most of it; as a guide, water on a mild day a few days after the soil dries.
Light and placement for Rosemary
Generally best outdoors in sun and moving air, with at least half a day of direct sun as a guide; it weakens indoors from low light, and moving it under the eaves out of the rain in the rainy season and midsummer reduces rot.
Overwintering Rosemary
Overwintering guide: −5°C (23°F) or above
Fairly hardy: on the plains from Kanto westward it generally overwinters outdoors as a guide; during frosty spells keep it under the eaves, water sparingly, and shelter it from freezing wind.
Fertilizing and repotting Rosemary
Fertilizer
Needs little feeding: a small dose of slow-release fertilizer in spring and fall as a guide; overfeeding makes it leggy and less fragrant, and there is none in midsummer or winter.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Rosemary
- Overwatered, the roots rot and the shoots brown from the tips.
- Rainy-season and summer humidity rot the plant from the inside.
- The root ball is broken up at repotting and the plant fails to recover.
- At an indoor window it gets too little light and grows thin and leggy.
Tips for growing Rosemary
- It resents root disturbance: repot into a slightly larger pot without breaking up the root ball.
- Harvest by snipping shoot tips so air can reach the center of the plant.
- Renew an aging plant by rooting cuttings to raise a young replacement.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
