Rosemary Plant Guide

Salvia rosmarinus

Aromatic, culinary, and ornamental. Rosemary is a Mediterranean evergreen herb that works as a hedge, ground cover, container plant, and kitchen essential.

Quick Facts

Hardiness Zones7-10

SunFull sun

WaterLow - drought tolerant

SoilWell-drained, poor to average

Height2-6 feet

Spread2-4 feet

Bloom TimeWinter to spring (blue flowers)

Herb gardensHedgesMediterranean gardensContainersGround coverTopiaries

Why Grow Rosemary

Rosemary is the ultimate dual-purpose plant: gorgeous in the garden and indispensable in the kitchen. Its aromatic, needle-like evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, while small blue flowers in late winter and spring attract early pollinators. It's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in the poor, dry soil that defeats most plants.

Best Varieties for Gardens

'Tuscan Blue' grows tall and upright (5-6 feet) — perfect for hedges and screening. 'Prostratus' is a spreading ground cover that cascades over walls. 'Arp' is the most cold-hardy variety, surviving to zone 6. 'Gorizia' has extra-large leaves and robust flavor for cooking. 'Miss Jessop's Upright' is columnar with the best flower display.

Design Uses

Clip rosemary into a low formal hedge along pathways — brush past it and release its scent. Train an upright variety as a standard topiary in a pot for a Mediterranean accent. Use prostrate varieties to cascade over retaining walls. Mass plant in gravel gardens alongside lavender and sage. Rosemary in a terracotta pot by the kitchen door is both beautiful and practical.

Care Tips

Rosemary's main killer is wet feet. Never plant in poorly drained soil or overwater. It prefers lean, poor soil — rich soil and fertilizer produce soft growth that's susceptible to cold damage. Prune regularly for a compact shape and to harvest. In cold climates (zone 6-7), grow in containers and overwinter indoors near a sunny window.

Companion Plants

Rosemary pairs beautifully with:

LavenderThymeSageOlive treeAgapanthus

Frequently Asked Questions

Can rosemary survive winter outdoors?

In zones 8-10, rosemary is fully evergreen outdoors. 'Arp' variety survives to zone 6. In colder areas, grow in pots and bring indoors to a sunny window for winter.

Why is my rosemary turning brown?

Usually overwatering or poor drainage causing root rot. Rosemary needs soil to dry between waterings. Brown tips in winter can indicate cold damage — move container plants to shelter.

How do I harvest rosemary without killing the plant?

Cut sprigs from the top and sides, never removing more than one-third at a time. Regular harvesting actually keeps the plant bushy and productive. Don't cut into old, bare wood.

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