Rosmarinus Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 24th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Rosmarinus plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Rosmarinus is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves. Its fragrant foliage and attractive blue flowers make it a favorite for kitchen gardens.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Rosemary thrives in full sun, preferring well-draining soil. Drought-resistant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- General Care: As a hardy plant Rosemary requires minimal attention. Occasional pruning will maintain shape and improve airflow, which can help to prevent fungal diseases.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Rosemary is an excellent choice for beginners due to its low maintenance requirements. Do not overwater as roots can rot in waterlogged soil.
Rosemary: Cultivation & Garden Use
Rosmarinus plants are hardy perennials that reach from three to six feet (90 cm to 1.8 m) in height. Perhaps the most familiar members of this genus is the culinary herb Rosemary.
Rosmarinus species bloom towards the end of spring and the start of summer, carrying blue flowers. Their leaves are narrow and oblong in shape, and grow off of woody branches. Rosemary plants can be grown as part of a herb garden, or as a container plant.
Rosmarin (Rosmarinus officinalis) by blumenbiene.
If you are growing Rosemary for use in cooking, then the leaves can be used fresh at any time, but it is best to harvest leaves before the plant flowers if you are planning to dry them.
The Rosemary leaves should be dried in a dark area. Once dried place the dried rosemary leaves in a Tupperware or similar container.
How to Grow Rosemary (Rosmarinus Plants)
It is best to grow Rosemary from hardwood cuttings or from purchased plants. Cuttings should be took in either the spring or autumn, and started off indoors.
They should then be put outdoors into a sunny part of the garden following the last frost of spring.
It is best to space Rosemary from 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 inches) apart, and they should grow in a sandy soil that is of pH 6 to 7.5.
It is very important the soil that rosemary and other Rosmarinus plants grow in is very well drained for best results.
It is possible, though quite difficult to grow Rosmarinus plant species from seed.
The Rosemary seeds should be sown at a depth of 6 mm (1/4 inch). Sow well before the last frost of winter / spring.
The plants will grow very slowly, so lots of patience is required if you plan to grow rosemary from seed.
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus' by Wallygrom.
Caring for Rosemary
Once established, Rosemary takes very little looking after, for best results the soil should be poor and well drained. So do not fertilize or water.
If you live in a cold area it may be a good idea to bring the Rosemary plants indoors for the winter.
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Rosmarinus Plant Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Rosemary.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Half hardy perennial.
- Height: 36 to 72 inches (90–180 cm). Shrub.
- Native: Mediterranean. Western Asia.
- Family: Lamiaceae.
- Growing Region: Zones 6 to 9.
- Flowers: Species dependent: Late spring through to summer in cooler climates; blooms year long in warmer climates.
- Flower Details: white, purple, blue, pink. Small.
- Foliage: Evergreen. Needle-like, Oblong. Short. Fragrant. Green on top, white below.
- Sow Outside: Usually grown from hardwood cuttings because seed germination and initial plant growth can be very slow and unreliable.
- Seed: 1/4 inch (6 mm) Following the last frost. Spacing: Smaller species: 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm); Larger species: 40 to 48 inches (100–120 cm).
- Sow Inside: Germination time: three weeks. Temperature: 70°F (21°C). End of winter/Start of spring. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
- Requirements and care: Full sunlight (for best results) or partial shade. Excellent drainage. Sandy soil. Poor soil. Do not water. Do not feed. Soil pH 6.5–7.8. Thrives in dry soils. Will struggle in peat, clay and wet soil. Prune to keep tidy and to remove any frost damaged leaves. Propagate: by taking cuttings in the spring or autumn (take a soft shoot of about six inches (15 cm) in length, remove the bottom leaves, and plant into the soil. Bring potted plants indoors in cold areas.
- Miscellaneous: The name Rosmarinus is derived from the Latin for 'dew (ros) of the sea (marinus). Fresh leaves can be harvested for culinary use at anytime. If you are planning to dry rosemary then remove the leaves before flowering occurs, dry in the dark, and keep in a sealed airtight container.
Common Questions
How many members does the Rosmarinus genus contain?
The Rosmarinus genus is monotypic, containing only one species: Rosemary.
Do Rosmarinus plants make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a popular garden and kitchen herb, prized for its aromatic foliage, blue flowers, and culinary uses.
Which Rosmarinus species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The only species grown is Rosmarinus officinalis, which comes in a variety of cultivars offering variations in growth habit and flower color.
Are Rosmarinus plants fragrant?
Yes, Rosemary is well-known for its fragrant leaves, which are often used in cooking for their strong, distinctive scent and flavor.
What is the perfect location to grow Rosmarinus?
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb that can withstand dry conditions.
Is Rosmarinus invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Rosmarinus officinalis is not considered invasive in the USA. It is, however, naturalized in a few states, but without causing significant problems.
How do I remove Rosmarinus plants from my garden?
To remove Rosmarinus, dig up the entire plant, making sure to remove all roots as it can regrow from any left behind.
Summary
The Rosmarinus genus, known commonly as Rosemary, is an evergreen shrubby herb found natively in the Mediterranean region. Known for their fragrant needle-like leaves, they are often used as culinary herbs or decorative plants.
Rosemary prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. They are drought-tolerant once established and thrive in coastal areas due to their salt tolerance. Planting is best done in spring or fall.
I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Rosmarinus plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Ajuga genevensis, Thyme plant, and Perilla plants.
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