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Rosemary

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus · Synonym Rosmarinus officinalis

Garden Balcony Sun ShrubMedium

For your Rosemary

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Profile

Plant group
Evergreen aromatic subshrub
Growth & habit
Evergreen woody stems grow upright or trail depending on cultivar. Regular small harvest cuts can help maintain branching.
Foliage
Narrow needle-like leaves with rolled edges are green above and paler beneath. They are broadleaf foliage, not conifer needles.
Family
Mint family · Lamiaceae
Origin
Mediterranean regions, depending on species
Height
Often 50–150 cm; trailing and upright cultivars
Bloom
Usually March to June; sometimes outside this window in mild conditions
Toxicity
Reliably identified culinary rosemary is used as a herb; do not confuse it with poisonous bog rosemary

Care calendar

Leaf emergence

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Young shoots grow as days become warmer and brighter.

Flowering / flower development

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

The exact flowering window depends on species, cultivar and weather.

Leaf fall

Evergreen: no normal complete autumn leaf fall.

Pruning & growth habit

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

After checking winter damage, prune moderately within leafy growth at the right time for flowering.

Guidance for Germany and Central Europe. Position, weather, species and cultivar shift these windows; indoor and container plants also depend on their winter conditions.

Your seasonal care plan

  • Check winter condition and new growth

    Mar · Apr · May

    Inspect damaged portions and drainage. Retain a sunny position and acclimatise overwintered containers gradually to outdoor conditions. Match pruning to growth and flowering rather than shortening every woody stem alike.

  • Harvest young tips in small amounts

    Jun · Jul · Aug

    Take small quantities of aromatic tips from leafy shoots, leaving enough green foliage. Shape moderately after flowering if needed. Water containers when the root ball needs it and avoid standing water.

  • Choose a sheltered winter position

    Sep · Oct · Nov

    Account for cultivar and local frost exposure. Prepare a bright, cool place for containers, with protection during severe frost. Ensure water can drain; an arbitrary warm, dark indoor position does not meet these needs.

  • Allow for water loss in winter

    Dec · Jan · Feb

    Evergreen leaves lose water even on mild winter days. Check root-ball moisture and water as needed on suitable frost-free days. Also avoid persistent wetness; do not assume that another cultivar’s hardiness applies to your plant.

Highlighted months are guidance, not fixed dates. Observe the plant, root ball and weather; water, feed and repot according to actual need.

Seasonal care intensity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal guidance for Germany. Needs depend on location, weather and species. Check moisture in winter too; these markers are not a feeding schedule.

Peak care Active Reduced care

Care tips

  • Plenty of sun, air and very good drainage are essential. Water pots according to need and allow excess to drain; guard particularly against persistent winter wet.
  • Hardiness depends on cultivar and position. Protect pots during severe frost in bright, cool conditions; evergreen leaves lose water on mild winter days.

Fruit & harvest

Fruit and seed formation

Rosemary forms small dry nutlets after flowering. The usual harvest is aromatic leaves and young shoots rather than seeds. Evergreen foliage allows small quantities to be taken as needed.

Harvest and use

Cut short shoot tips from healthy culinary plants, retaining enough leafy branches. Harvest more during vigorous growth than during low-light rest. Avoid cutting deeply into bare old wood.

Plant knowledge at a glance

Position, benefits & character

Position & soil

Plenty of sun, air and very good drainage are essential. Water pots according to need and allow excess to drain; guard particularly against persistent winter wet.

Distinctive features

The current botanical name is Salvia rosmarinus; the older name Rosmarinus officinalis remains common in trade. Growth habit and frost tolerance vary by cultivar.

Benefits

Rosemary provides aromatic shoot tips and can structure small borders. Early flowers feed insects; trailing cultivars suit raised containers.

Partners & symbioses

Flowers and their visitors contribute to the garden. No fixed companion plant is necessary; similar light and moisture needs are the basis of good combinations.

Pruning & growth habit

Evergreen woody stems grow upright or trail depending on cultivar. Regular small harvest cuts can help maintain branching.

  1. 1. Find the leafy growth

    Before pruning, distinguish younger leafy sections from bare older wood.

  2. 2. Shorten moderately

    Remove spent flower stems and an appropriate part of young growth. Do not routinely cut into old bare wood.

  3. 3. Keep the form open to light

    Retain a loose, balanced shape. Assess rejuvenation of old bare plants carefully or raise replacements.

Nursery forms

This overview explains nursery supply forms. It does not indicate current availability in the GREEN24 shop.

Bare-root

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Root-balled

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Container-grown

Common form

Common potted stock; check species and cultivar.

Young plant

Common form

Rooted cuttings for growing on.

Shrub

Common form

Older branched subshrubs.

Feathered tree

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Half-standard

Ask a specialist nursery

Small trained standards in specialist ranges.

Standard

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Topiary

Ask a specialist nursery

Balls or compact forms; maintain within leafy growth.

Propagation & grafting

Propagation

Root suitable young stem cuttings. Seed is possible for some species but does not reliably preserve named cultivars.

Grafting

Not required for usual nursery stock; mostly own-root from cuttings or seed.

Species & cultivars

Salvia rosmarinus 'Arp'

Upright cultivar; winter survival remains site-dependent.

Salvia rosmarinus Prostratus Group

Trailing or prostrate forms.

Pests & diseases

These signs support an initial assessment. Different causes may look alike; choose a treatment only after identifying the problem.

Feeding and sucking damage

Inspect leaves and shoots and identify the cause reliably.

Root problems in wet conditions

Assess blackened stems together with persistently wet compost. Address drainage before adding fertiliser.

Bare centre

Cutting too deeply, shading or age can promote bare stems. Extra fertiliser does not reliably make old bare wood reshoot.

Hardiness · USDA

Assess by species, cultivar and cultivation

Hardiness depends on cultivar and position. Protect pots during severe frost in bright, cool conditions; evergreen leaves lose water on mild winter days.

Salvia rosmarinus
USDA 8a–10bGuidance for this species; also consider cultivation, cultivar and root protection.

USDA zones describe long-term average winter extremes. Containers, young plants, wet soil, wind and late frost need separate consideration.

Understand USDA zones and maps →

A closer look

Rosemary flowers
Flower

Rosemary flowers

Pale violet rosemary flowers among narrow leaves. Reduced-size, uncropped version.

THOR · CC BY 2.0 · Image source

Botanical features vary with age, species and cultivar.

Matching GREEN24 products

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