Rosemary plants are evergreen shrubs that are native to the Mediterranean region. They have leathery, dark green leaves and small, blue-purple flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. Rosemary has a strong, pungent scent and is used in many cuisines around the world. Rosemary plants grow best in well-drained soil and full sun, and they can reach heights of up to 6 feet. The leaves can be harvested and dried for use in cooking and for medicinal purposes.
Planning Your Garden With Rosemary
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Rosemary is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Rosemary is hardy in USDA Zones 8-10. |
| Cold Tolerance | Rosemary is considered to be frost hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest rosemary is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown rosemary plant is between 2 and 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Rosemary prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and should be planted in a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Space the plants 18 to 24 inches apart to give them room to grow. |
| Sun tolerance | Rosemary is moderately tolerant of full sun, and prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Rosemary is considered to be a sun-loving plant and requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. It can tolerate some light shade, but will not grow as vigorously if it does not receive enough sunlight. |
| Water requirements | Rosemary plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, but not too much, as they are prone to root rot. Aim for about 1â of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Water deeply and less often, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing rosemary depends on the type of fertilizer used and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | Rosemary prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Rosemary is Popular
People like to grow rosemary because it is an attractive and fragrant herb that is easy to grow and care for. It is also very versatile in the kitchen and can be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes. Additionally, rosemary has many health benefits, such as being a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
Companion Plants For Rosemary
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for rosemary include:
Common Pests For Rosemary
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow rosemary, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
