Rosemary is a wonderful addition to any garden. It can be grown in pots outdoors, indoors or on a sunny windowsill. These evergreen perennial herbs produce beautiful needle-shaped leaves with intense flavor and aroma. Rosemary can be used to season meats and stews. Its edible flowers are a great addition to salads. Rosemary is also a beautiful ornamental plant. You can grow rosemary indoors and outdoors with our essential tips.
The ideal soil composition and pH for growing rosemary
Rosemary likes well-drained soil and organic material. Rosemary plants are best suited to slightly acidic soils that range from 6.5 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Be sure to add organic material to the soil and well-decomposed compost for in-ground planting. Use a premium potting mixture for indoor and outdoor container planting.
You need sunlight to grow rosemary indoors and outdoors
It doesn’t matter if you grow rosemary outdoors or indoors, it needs plenty of sunlight to thrive. Insufficient sunlight can be a major problem for rosemary plants.
- To grow rosemary indoors place the pot in a sunny spot on the south or west side of your house. It will get as much sunlight as possible. An indoor grow light can be used to provide the plant with sufficient sunlight if it is not getting enough.
- If you want to grow rosemary outside, make sure that your area receives at least six to eight hours of direct sun each day.
Rosemary Plant Temperature Requirements
Temperature changes can quickly cause the death of rosemary plants. If this happens, bring your potted plants inside and cover outdoor plants with row covers. They are best when they are young. Plants that are frost-tolerant don’t like extremes. You can reduce the risk of temperature drops by planting rosemary in a protected area near a brick wall or fence that radiates heat but also offers wind protection.
Planting Rosemary From Seed vs. Buying Flowers
Rosemary plants can be planted outdoors or in pots indoors.
Growing Rosemary Seeds Indoors
- If you are planting outside, sow rosemary seeds indoors at least ten weeks before the last frost date.
- In a seed-starting mixture, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
- To maintain soil temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, keep the seed soil moist.
- The seedlings should be ready to go in 14-21 days
- Seedlings should be exposed to plenty of light, either on a sunny windowsill or under a grow lamp.
- Place seedlings in small pots. Allow them to grow indoors for two more weeks to establish a strong root system.
- Before planting outside, dry the seedlings for at least a week in a protected area.
How to Grow Rosemary
You can grow rosemary outdoors in raised beds or containers. Or in your backyard. You can also grow it indoors in a sunny window. It is not like other herbs that can thrive indoors when brought inside, but rosemary can be more temperamental in adapting to changing growing conditions.
You can bring indoors potted rosemary plants for winter.
- Ensure adequate sunlight.
- Indoor heating can make the plants more dry than they were outdoors. This plant can be helped to acclimate by misting it with water from time to time.
How to Water Rosemary Plants
Water is essential for healthy rosemary plants. A rosemary plant can be killed if it gets too much or too little water.
Outdoor Rosemary Gardens
Especially during droughts, rosemary plants need to be watered regularly. Rosemary plants, especially when young, can be quite heavy so make sure to water the soil at its level. Keep the soil moist, but don’t let it get too dry, as this can cause root rot.
Organic mulch can be used in the container or planting bed to maintain the soil temperature and moisture level for the plant.
Indoor Rosemary Gardens
Before watering, test the soil with your finger. Give the soil some water if it feels dry. Allow the soil to dry out if it is very moist before watering. Rosemary can also benefit when the weather is dry by getting spritzes from a mister.
Rosemary Growing: Nutrients
Rosemary doesn’t require much fertilizer. It is not a heavy nutrient-sucker and thrives when it is planted in soil rich in organic matter. You can water it once a year. Try adding soil amendments like worm castings or fish emulsions to improve the plant’s health.
How to Harvest Rosemary
Rosemary can be used fresh from the plant, or harvested and dried for later. You can harvest rosemary leaves by cutting the stems or leaves as necessary. Pick rosemary in the morning when its oil content is highest for best results. To get the best results when drying rosemary, it is best to pick the entire plant at once. Rosemary flower petals can be eaten if they are allowed to flower. Sprinkle them on salads and soups.
Rosemary Plant Diseases and Pests
- Powdery Mildew
- Crown/Root Rot
- Scale
- Mealy Bugs
- Aphids
Rosemary Varieties You Should Grow
Rosemary plants are available in both upright and trailing varieties. They produce beautiful leaves and flowers with strong flavors and beautiful foliage.
- Prostratus is a beautiful trailing rosemary plant that grows well in window boxes and hanging baskets.
- Arp is a super-fragrant rosemary variety with an upright habit.
- Tuscan Blue is an robust rosemary plant that produces flavorful leaves and bright flower flowers. Upright habit.
- Blue Spires produces pungent leaves with bright blue flowers and an upright growth habit.
- Spanish Rosemary has heavily fragranced leaves and pale pink blooms.
