Herb · Woody / Perennial Herb
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
A woody, drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb that grows as an evergreen perennial in warm climates or a container plant brought indoors for winter elsewhere. Slow to establish but very low-maintenance once mature.
At a glance
Water
Low
12–24 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
6–8 hrs/day
Space
Small
18 in
To maturity
80–90 days
Edible parts: Leaves
Family: Mint
Includes basil, rosemary, sage, and mint. Recognizable by square stems and fragrant, oil-rich leaves.
Harvest
Snip sprigs as needed once the plant is established; light, frequent harvesting encourages bushier growth.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 30–90 °F
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Soil type
- Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral loam; tolerates poor soil
- Climate
- Perennial in mild-winter climates (roughly USDA zone 7 and up); elsewhere grown as a container plant brought indoors for winter.
- Growing season
- Plant in spring after the last frost; established outdoor plants are evergreen where winter-hardy.
- Nitrogen
- Low (≈10–30 ppm)
- Humidity
- Low (≈30–50 %)
- Planting unit
- Cutting
- Feeding schedule
- Rarely needs feeding once established; light feeding in spring is enough for container plants.
- Pest resistance
- High - occasional spider mites indoors, otherwise largely trouble-free
- Pests
- Spider mites: Tiny arachnids that cause fine stippling on leaves and fine webbing, most active in hot, dry conditions.
- Pruning
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape; avoid cutting into old woody growth, which regrows slowly.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— Good drainage matters more than pot size; terracotta helps roots avoid staying wet.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal— Perennial in warm climates (zone 7 and up).
- Raised BedIdeal
- WindowsillPossible— Needs bright light and good airflow; prone to root rot if overwatered indoors.
- HydroponicNot recommended— Woody growth habit doesn't suit standard hydroponic systems.
- Vertical / TrellisNot recommended— No climbing or vining habit.
Companions & antagonists
Sources
- Easy Gardening: Rosemary — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Aggie Horticulture
- Companion Vegetable Garden Plants — Ask Extension