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How to grow a rosemary plant


How to Grow Rosemary Plants

The Mediterranean herb, rosemary, requires attention to soil and water conditions. In warmest areas, it grows into a large evergreen shrub.

Rosemary is a woody-stemmed plant with needle-like leaves that can commonly reach 3 feet in height, eventually stretching to 5 feet in warmer climates unless clipped. In zone 8 and farther south, rosemary bushes make a good evergreen hedge. In zone 7 and colder, try growing rosemary in a container you can bring inside in cold weather. You can even train rosemary into topiary shapes. Plants are tolerant of salt spray, making them a good choice for pots on the beach.

With the right soil and water conditions, rosemary can grow into a large evergreen hedge in warm areas. Placed along a path or border, it wafts a soothing minty aroma to those who pass by.

Quick Guide to Growing Rosemary

Soil, Planting, and Care

Set out rosemary in spring, planting starter plants 2 to 3 feet apart; you can also plant in fall in zone 8 and south. Choose strong, vigorous Bonnie Plants® rosemary to get your garden off to a great start—after all, Bonnie has spent over a century helping home gardeners successfully grow their own food. Plants are slow growing at first, but pick up speed in their second year.

Rosemary prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Improve your existing soil by adding a few inches of aged compost-enriched Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil and mixing it in with the top layer. Potted rosemary needs a lighter-weight soil mix, so fill containers with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix instead. Keep the soil uniformly moist, allowing it to dry out between waterings. Mulch your plants to keep roots moist in summer and insulated in winter, but take care to keep mulch away from the crown of the plant. In the spring, prune dead wood out of the plants.

For best growth, it's not enough just to start with rich, nutritious soil. You'll also want to feed rosemary regularly throughout the season with a plant food that feeds both your plants and the soil, like Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (following the directions on the label).

Troubleshooting

Whiteflies, spider mites, scale, and mealybugs can all bother rosemary, as can powdery mildew and root rot, particularly in humid regions. To prevent mildew and rot, be sure your plants enjoy good drainage and air circulation. In zone 7 and northward, extreme cold will kill the tops of the rosemary plant. In areas where it is likely to be hurt by winter, plant in a protected spot such as one near a south-facing masonry wall and away from the prevailing winter wind; also mulch to protect the roots. In zone 8 and farther south, rosemary needs no winter protection.

Harvest and Storage

Cut stems at any time for fresh rosemary. To dry rosemary, use a rack or hang it upside down in bunches to dry. Once stems are dry, strip the leaves from them. You can also freeze rosemary sprigs, preserve them in vinegar, or use them to flavour oil or butter.

Uses

While rosemary blends well with other herbs, use it lightly on its own in lamb, pork, chicken, and veal dishes, as well as in soups and stews, vegetables, and sauces. Rosemary provides a wonderful flavour in breads and makes a good marinade with olive oil, wine, and garlic. Rosemary's aromatic qualities also enhance a bath, bouquet, wreath, or sachet.

When cutting rosemary, cut into the tender stems instead of the woody lower branches.Rosemary, olive oil, and a dash of sea salt make the perfect simple dip for fresh bread.

FAQs

Will rosemary grow with the other herbs in my herb garden?

Unlike most herbs that live for only one season, rosemary is an evergreen shrub in zone 8 and farther south. For that reason, you should choose a location where it can continue to grow for years to come. It thrives in a sunny, well-drained location where it will reach up to 3 feet tall and wide. You can place it near the gate to your vegetable garden or as part of your home landscape. Because it is so fragrant when touched, it is a nice addition near a sidewalk or porch.

What is rosemary's temperature tolerance?

Our rosemary is dependably hardy in USDA zone 8 and southward, which means in areas in which the temperature does not go below 10 to 15 degrees. If you live in zone 7, plant in a protected location, such as near a south-facing masonry wall, to provide added warmth on cold nights.

Can I trim rosemary anytime, or is there a recommended time?

As with any culinary herb, you should cut fresh, flavorful foliage whenever you need it. Plants do well with a heavy pruning anytime from early spring to midsummer. Try not to cut into stems that are dark and woody; these are less likely to sprout new growth than the younger wood. Remember that rosemary will never have a perfectly round silhouette, because it is the nature of the plant to have upright stems. However, the overall habit of the plant can be thicker with pruning to encourage branching.

I grew rosemary in a large pot and left it out over the winter. Should I cut the plant back or wait for new growth?

Early spring before growth begins is a good time to prune any evergreen, and that includes rosemary. Remove any dead, leafless stems first, and then prune to improve the shape of the plant. Avoid cutting stems that are very old, as they may not sprout new shoots are readily as younger stems. However, if your plant is nicely shaped and you are happy for it to continue growing larger, remember that pruning is not a necessity. Note: when rosemary is grown in a container, do not let it dry to the point of wilting. It may not recover.

Cool Season Gardening Harvesting Herbs Holidays Rosemary

How to Grow Rosemary: Planting, Cuttings, & Care

The rosemary plant (Salvia rosmarinus) is a fragrant herb that grows as a perennial rounded evergreen shrub. It features slender, needle-like, gray-green leaves on erect woody stems. And it produces clusters of small, light blue to white flowers typically in the late spring to early summer, though it can bloom at other points of the year as well. Plant rosemary in the spring after any threat of frost has passed. You can grow rosemary indoors, too, though it will grow quite large. The shrub has a moderate growth rate and spreads when planted.

Common Name Rosemary
Botanical Name Salvia rosmarinus
Family Lamiaceae
Plant Type Herb, perennial
Size 2–6 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type Sandy, loamy, well-drained
Soil pH Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time Spring, summer
Hardiness Zones 8–10 (USDA)
Native Area Mediterranean

Watch Now: How to Grow and Care for Rosemary

How to Plant Rosemary

When to Plant

Rosemary is best planted in the spring once the weather has warmed and there’s no frost in the forecast. Containers indoors generally can be started at any time of year.

Selecting a Planting Site

Rosemary grows best in a sunny spot that has soil with sharp drainage. Make sure no taller trees or shrubs in the area are so close that they will shade the rosemary. Rosemary also grows well in containers both outdoors and indoors, as long as it can get enough light.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Space rosemary shrubs at least 2 to 3 feet apart. Plant seedlings and nursery plants at the same depth at which they were growing in their previous container. Seeds should be just barely covered with soil when planting. A support structure is typically not necessary for this shrub.

Rosemary Plant Care

Light

Rosemary likes full sun and does not tolerate shade. This means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growth, and grow lights are often necessary to provide supplemental light. Bring indoor plants outside in warm weather to allow them access to natural sunlight. Inadequate light can cause leggy and weak growth.

Soil

A well-draining sandy or loamy soil is best for rosemary. It doesn’t grow well in heavy clay and wet soils. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal (6.0 to 7.0).

Water

Rosemary shrubs have good drought tolerance once they are mature, and it’s better to underwater rather than overwater them. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings, and then water so that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.

Temperature and Humidity

This shrub likes warm weather and moderate humidity levels. Most rosemary varieties can’t survive temperatures below 30 degrees, but they have good heat tolerance. They prefer temperatures between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. Moreover, high humidity can lead to rot and fungal issues, especially if there isn’t enough air circulation around the plant.

Fertilizer

Rosemary is not a heavy feeder. Mixing compost into the soil at the time of planting can help to give the shrub a healthy start. Then, using a balanced liquid fertilizer, following label instructions, will continue to promote quality growth.

Pollination

Rosemary shrubs self-pollinate and attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. Bring indoor plants outdoors in warm weather when their flowers are open to allow the blooms to naturally pollinate. 

Leticia Almeida / The Spruce 

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Leticia Almeida / The Spruce

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Types of Rosemary

There are several types of rosemary to grow, including:

Rosemary vs. Lavender

Rosemary and lavender are similar in appearance. Both are shrublike with woody stems, and they feature aromatic leaves that are long and thin. However, rosemary plants generally grow larger than lavender. Rosemary blooms form among the foliage while lavender blooms rise above the foliage on flower spikes. And lavender has a lighter and more floral taste and aroma than rosemary.

Harvesting Rosemary

Rosemary can be harvested at almost any time of year, though spring and summer are when it grows most actively. And the leaves are most flavorful and aromatic just before the plant blooms. To harvest, use pruners to cut off 4- to 6-inch stem tips.

Use fresh rosemary sprigs or leaves in cooking as you like. Or hang the stems upside-down in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area for drying, which should take a couple of weeks. Once the stems are dry, strip off the leaves and keep them in an airtight container in a pantry.

How to Grow Rosemary in Pots

Growing rosemary in pots allows you to bring it indoors during cold weather. You also can keep containers on a patio or deck near your kitchen for easy access while cooking. Select a pot that’s slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. Make sure it has drainage holes. An unglazed clay container is best to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls. 

Pruning

Prune rosemary as necessary to shape its growth after the plant is done flowering. Rosemary responds well to pruning and can be trained into topiary shapes. But don’t prune off more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the shrub and leave it vulnerable to diseases and pests. 

How to Grow Rosemary From Cuttings

If you would like to propagate your own rosemary plant, the best option is to start with a cutting. Not only is this an inexpensive way to get a new plant but taking cuttings from a mature plant can help to promote more branching and bushier growth. The best time to take a cutting is in the spring or summer. Here's how:

  1. Cut a piece of healthy stem that’s a few inches long. Choose new softwood growth for best results.
  2. Remove the leaves on the lower portion of the stem, leaving at least five leaves. 
  3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
  4. Plant the cutting in a moist soilless potting mix in a small container that has drainage holes.
  5. Place the container in a warm spot that has bright, indirect light. Mist the cutting daily, and make sure the growing medium doesn’t dry out.
  6. In about two to three weeks, gently tug on the stem to check for roots. If you feel resistance, you’ll know roots have developed. After that, the cutting is ready for transplanting.

How to Grow Rosemary From Seed

Growing rosemary from seeds can be difficult because they don't germinate easily and they often do not grow true to their parent plant. If you wish to try growing rosemary from seed, plant several more seeds than the number of plants you hope to grow. Start seeds around three months prior to your area’s projected last frost date in the spring. Take these steps:

  1. Scatter the seeds in a tray filled with moist seed-starting mix, just lightly covering them with the mix.
  2. Cover the tray with plastic wrap to trap moisture, and make sure the mix doesn’t dry out.
  3. Place the tray on a heat mat to keep the soil between 80 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. As soon as seedlings appear, remove the plastic wrap, and place the tray in bright light.
  5. Once seedlings are around 3 inches high, move them to individual pots or outdoors if the weather is warm.

Potting and Repotting Rosemary

Use a light, well-draining potting mix when growing rosemary in a container. Plan to repot every year into one container size up, using fresh potting mix. The best time to repot is in the spring. Gently loosen the plant from its previous container, and situate it at the same depth in the new one, filling around it with soil.  

Overwintering

Bring rosemary indoors well before any frost is predicted in the fall forecast. Keep it in a warm room and away from any drafts or drying air from heat vents. Continue providing it with at least six hours of sunlight per day via a bright window and/or grow light. And slightly back off on watering, though don’t allow the soil to fully dry out. Once frost is out of the forecast in the spring, the plant can go back outside.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

High humidity and poor air circulation can result in powdery mildew—a white, powdery fungus—on rosemary plants. Powdery mildew typically won't kill a plant, but the disease will weaken it. To prevent powdery mildew, make sure the plant's soil isn't too wet, and provide a few feet of space around it for airflow.

Also, be on the lookout for aphids and spider mites, especially on indoor plants. Use an insecticidal soap as soon as you spot an infestation to prevent it from spreading.

outdoor and indoor cultivation, propagation

The rosemary plant (Rosmarinus) is part of the Lamiaceae family. This genus is represented by evergreen shrubs and shrubs. Under natural conditions, this plant can be found on the territory of such European countries as Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece, in the southern part of France and in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, and also in North Africa: Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, and also in Turkey and in Cyprus.

From Latin "rosemary" is translated as "sea freshness", this is due to the fact that the ancient Greeks associated rosemary with the sea Aphrodite, which appeared from the sea foam. However, the smell of this plant is not at all similar to the iodine marine aroma. It is more like a combination of the smell of camphor and pine, so the Greek name of the plant, which translates as "balsamic shrub", is closest to the truth. Previously, people believed that rosemary improves memory, in connection with this, in ancient Greece, students often put wreaths on their heads that were woven from rosemary branches. In culture, this plant has become popular due to its special aroma. This plant is included in the composition of the "bouquet garni" and the collection of Provence herbs, and it is also put in drinks, marinades, and vinegar is also insisted on rosemary. Such an evergreen shrub is distinguished by its thermophilicity, therefore it can be grown in open ground only in those regions where winters are warm. And in those countries where the climate is cool, rosemary is grown as a container and room culture.

Content

Brief description of growing

  1. Planting . Sowing of rosemary seeds for seedlings is carried out in the last days of February or the first - March, and seedlings are transplanted into open ground - from mid to late May.
  2. Illumination . Requires plenty of bright sunlight.
  3. Primer . Limestone, well permeable to water and air.
  4. Watering . Should be moderate. Water is poured carefully under the root to avoid drops on the surface of the leaf plates.
  5. Fertilizer . In spring, a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, for example, urea or ammonium nitrate, is applied to the soil at the site. After that, once every 30 days, rosemary is fed with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. In autumn, those fertilizers are used that contain only phosphorus and potassium.
  6. Breeding . Cuttings, dividing the bush, seeds and layering.
  7. Harmful insects . In room conditions - whiteflies and aphids, in open ground - aphids.
  8. Diseases . In winter, at room conditions, the plant can become ill with peronosporosis.

Features of rosemary

Rosemary is a shrub that can grow from 0. 5 to 2 meters in height. Its root system is very powerful and developed, it penetrates the soil to a depth of 3-4 meters. There is pubescence on the surface of grayish, obtusely four-sided young shoots. Perennial woody stems with peeling bark are painted in a dark gray shade. Sedentary linear leaf plates are leathery to the touch and have edges bent down. The leaves are about 0.4 cm wide, and up to 3.5 cm long, their front surface is glossy, and on the wrong side there is pubescence. Lush paniculate inflorescences consist of flowers of pale purple, dark purple or white. This plant is related to the following crops: hyssop, basil, lavender, mint, motherwort, thyme (thyme), oregano and lemon balm. The upper parts of annual shoots, along with foliage and flowers, are used fresh, adding to dishes of legumes, cabbage, eggplant and meat.

Rosemary. Reproduction and cultivation.


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Planting rosemary seedlings

When to sow seedlings

Rosemary is propagated by seed, cuttings, dividing the bush and layering. In regions where winters are cold, this plant is recommended to be grown from seed through seedlings. Sowing seeds is carried out in the last days of February or the first - March.

Seeding features

Before sowing, the seed material is soaked in water for several hours. When the seeds swell, they are sown in moistened sand or vermiculite, and they need to be buried in the substrate by only 0.3–0.4 cm, and the container must be covered with a film on top. If you want seedlings to appear as soon as possible, the crops are constantly kept warm (25 to 30 degrees). Do not forget to systematically remove the shelter and moisten the substrate with a spray bottle so that it is constantly slightly damp. If everything is done correctly, then the first seedlings should appear after 6-8 weeks. Immediately after this, the shelter is removed, and the crops are moved to a well-lit place. Remember that the substrate in the container must be watered regularly, for this they use warm, well-settled water. After the height of the seedlings is 70–80 mm, they are planted in open ground.

Easy sowing


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Growing rosemary at home

Planting

The first step is to grow rosemary seedlings from seeds, how to do this is described in detail above. After the height of the seedlings is 70–80 mm, they dive into separate pots (it is better to take clay ones), which should reach 9–11 centimeters in diameter, there must be drainage holes at the bottom. The container should be filled with a substrate that is well permeable to air and water; to create it, a universal soil mixture is combined with vermiculite or sand. You can make a soil mixture from humus, sand, soddy and deciduous soil (2: 1: 2: 2). A small hole is made in the wet soil mixture, the depth of which should be equal to the height of the seedling root. Carefully remove the plant from the container, taking it along with an earthen clod, and plant it in a pot in a prepared hole. Lightly tamp the substrate around the plant.

Illumination and temperature conditions

It is recommended to place the planted bush on a south-facing window. In order for the crown of rosemary to be beautiful, and not one-sided, regularly once every 7 days the container with the plant is rotated around its axis by 180 degrees. In the spring and summer, it is recommended to move the bush to fresh air (terrace, garden or balcony) if possible. With the onset of autumn, after the air temperature begins to drop to minus 1 degree, the plant is transferred to the house. It is undesirable to ventilate the room where rosemary is located, as cold air from the window can harm it. However, if there is no air circulation in the room, then mold may appear on the bush. To avoid this, a fan should operate in the room daily for 3-4 hours. In winter, the air temperature in the room should be below 16 degrees, and the humidity level at this time the bush needs to be low.

Pests

When grown indoors, aphids and arachnids can settle on the plant. If you notice pests on the bush, then treat with a solution of an acaricidal or insecticidal agent. At the same time, remember that several treatments may be required to completely destroy pests.

Watering

Keep the potting soil slightly damp (not soggy) at all times. You can understand that the shrub lacks moisture by the lower foliage: it turns yellow. If there is too much moisture in the soil mixture, then the foliage begins to fly around the bush.

It is recommended to moisten the substrate in a pot with a watering can with a long and narrow spout, because water should not fall on the surface of the leaves, as this can cause mold. Before watering, the water should stand for at least a day, and its temperature should be close to room temperature.

Fertilizer

During the growing season from March to September, the plant needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers, which must include calcium. Top dressing is carried out regularly twice a month. In winter, the plant is not fed at all, or it is done much less frequently (once every 4–6 weeks).

Rosemary. Landing and care.


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Growing rosemary outdoors

You can also grow rosemary outdoors. To do this, choose a well-lit place that has reliable protection from gusts of wind. The soil needs light, loose, well-permeable water and air, and it is desirable that it be limed.

Seedlings are planted in open ground from the middle to the end of May after warm weather sets in, by which time the seedlings should reach a height of 70 to 80 mm. If you plan to grow large bushes, then when planting seedlings, a distance of half a meter is kept between them. And if you do not plan this, then it is enough to maintain a distance of 10 centimeters between the plants. Planted bushes need to be watered.

Care instructions

Growing rosemary in your garden is not as difficult as it may seem. You need to take care of it in almost the same way as for other garden crops, or rather, it should be systematically watered, fed, weeded, cut, and do not forget to loosen the soil surface in a timely manner.

After 7 days after planting, the tops of the stems should be pinched off near the bushes, in this case they will grow more magnificent and spectacular. Remember that the first flowering of such a plant can be seen no earlier than the second year after planting in open ground.

Pruning

Upright rosemary bushes, starting from the age of two, are cut at a height of 3-4 internodes on last year's growth, and this is done in April. Prostrate rosemary does not need pruning.

Pruning in order to rejuvenate the shrub is carried out once every 7 years, for this, all the stems are cut at the level of the soil surface. In the spring, formative pruning is also carried out. You can form a plant in the form of a cube, a ball or a miniature tree (for example, in the form of a cypress). Rosemary broom-shaped bonsai is very popular among gardeners.

Wintering

This shrub is heat-loving, so in the middle latitudes it can die in winter. In order to keep the plant until spring, it is dug up and planted in a container, which is transferred to a well-lit and cool (not higher than 16 degrees) room. If it is not possible to dig up rosemary, then it is cut off at the level of the surface of the site and covered with a layer of dry foliage or sawdust, then a tent is made around the plant from spruce branches.

Watering

Rosemary is distinguished by its drought tolerance, but it still needs timely and proper watering. If the plant feels a lack of moisture, then because of this, its lower leaf plates will begin to turn yellow. And due to the regular stagnation of fluid in the soil, part of the root system of the shrub dies off, and its foliage is also observed flying around.

Watering should be moderate. Pour water gently under the root, because if its droplets fall on the foliage, then mold development may begin because of this.

Fertilizer

In the springtime, it is recommended to apply a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to the soil on the site, this will be a great start for the growth of rosemary. And then, throughout the entire growing season, a complex mineral fertilizer is systematically applied to the soil once every 30 days. In autumn, fertilizers are used for top dressing, which do not contain nitrogen, but it should contain a lot of phosphorus.

What to grow on the plot after rosemary?

This plant is a perennial, but if you decide to remove it from the site, then you should dig up the bush and clear the soil of plant debris. Digging the soil, while adding compost or humus to it. Onions, carrots and garlic will grow well in such a site.

Propagation methods

How to grow rosemary from seed is described in detail above. However, this is not the only way to propagate such a shrub. So, it can also be propagated by layering, cuttings and dividing the bush.

Cuttings

Cuttings are taken in September-October, for this, annual stems are used. The length of the cuttings should be from 8 to 10 centimeters, and they should also have 3 or 4 internodes. From the bottom, tear off all the leaf plates and treat the lower cut with a drug that stimulates root growth. Planting cuttings for rooting is carried out in a container filled with a loose and light substrate, well permeable to water and air, and pre-sterilized (for example, you can take a mixture of vermiculite and peat). Store the cuttings in a warm place out of direct sunlight.

Keep the soil mixture in the container slightly moist at all times, and the cuttings themselves must be moistened with water from a spray bottle every day. When new leaf blades grow on the cuttings, they are transplanted into individual pots in diameter reaching from 70 to 90 mm. 7 days after transplantation, the tops of the cuttings are pinched, thanks to which they will grow more magnificent and spectacular.

Rosemary from cuttings How to grow rosemary


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Cuttings

To propagate rosemary by cuttings, you need to select shoots from the bush that grow very close to the soil surface. The shoots are bent to the ground, then they are fixed and dug in with soil so that the top of the stem remains above the surface. Give the layerings regular watering so that the ground around them is always slightly moist. After the tip begins to grow, the layer is cut off from the parent plant and planted in open ground or a pot.

Dividing the bush

Propagation of rosemary by dividing the bush is most often resorted to when growing it at home. After the bush is pulled out of the container, its root is divided into parts. Please note that each division must have stems and roots. Sprinkle the cuts with charcoal powder and plant the delenki in individual pots.

Diseases and pests

When grown outdoors, rosemary is very resistant to pests and diseases. However, a bush growing at home is sometimes affected by downy mildew in winter, and whiteflies and aphids can also settle on it. To get rid of pests, gently lather the bush, and then rinse it under a warm shower. Moreover, the surface of the substrate in the container must be covered with a film so that soapy water does not get into it. To prevent downy mildew, do not allow excessive humidity levels in the room and potting mix. And also experts advise using a fan in winter to create air circulation in the room.

Types and varieties of rosemary with photo

In nature, there are only 3-4 types of rosemary, but only officinalis rosemary is cultivated by gardeners and florists. Description common rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) , or medicinal can be found at the beginning of this article. The following varieties of upright rosemary officinalis are most popular in culture:

This species also has a variety - prostratus, or prostrate rosemary: such an evergreen subshrub reaches a height of 0.5 m, and it can grow to a width of one and a half meters. The foliage of this variety resembles spruce needles, namely, it is leathery, dense, bright green, and in the center it has a vein of white. During flowering, small flowers of lilac or blue color are formed. Rosemary is often used by gardeners as a groundcover. This variety has several common varieties:

Benefits and harms of rosemary

Healing properties of rosemary

Since ancient times, rosemary has been a symbol of prosperity, abundance and longevity. That is why the newlyweds for the wedding were given a gift in the form of a sprig of rosemary. Also, this shrub was used as a medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, tonic and wound-healing effect. This plant was used during the treatment of rheumatism, hypotension, exhaustion, sciatica, sexual weakness, and it was also used for menopause. Also, this shrub is used in the treatment of certain heart diseases, colds, and it also helps to rejuvenate the body and stimulate blood circulation. It is also used as an effective remedy in the fight against cellulite and obesity.

Rosemary oil is highly valued. They treat boils, acne, infected wounds and eczema. Oil is extracted from foliage, young shoots and flowers by steaming them. Rosemary is also used in cooking as a seasoning, for example, it is added to meat and fish dishes, as well as to sauces, salads and tea.

Rosemary Medicinal properties


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Contraindications

Rosemary, as well as products made on its basis (infusion, tincture, decoction and oil), should not be used by pregnant women. Also, it is highly discouraged for use with a tendency to convulsions, epilepsy, hypertension, children under 9years and people with hypersensitivity of the skin.

How to grow rosemary at home from cuttings and seeds on a windowsill

Thanks to its wonderful aroma, rosemary sprigs have been used in cooking for several centuries to prepare many dishes. Substances contained in the spicy plant improve mood, relieve stress. In addition, rosemary releases essential oils that destroy pathogenic bacteria.

So why not have such a useful and beautiful greenery in your apartment on the windowsill?

Unfortunately, this wonderful spicy heat-loving plant is not able to endure frosty winters. To keep rosemary until spring, gardeners have to move it indoors and continue to grow it indoors, and many end up leaving it at home on the windowsill.

Contents

How to propagate rosemary

There are several ways to propagate rosemary to start growing it indoors:

Naturally, the easiest way is to buy it from seedlings and then grow it on the windowsill. But it is much more interesting to follow the growth of a spicy plant from scratch, especially in an apartment where you can observe its full development. In addition, growing rosemary is not so difficult.

However, it is worth knowing that rosemary is a perennial, and like all perennials, it grows very slowly in the initial period.

Video: growing direct greens on the windowsill - how to propagate rosemary by seeds and cuttings

Tenderness, Richard, Veshnyakovsky Semko.

And the most popular variety of rosemary is Rosinka.

How to plant rosemary on the windowsill - features, conditions and step by step instructions

Growing rosemary on the windowsill, it is important to comply with all agrotechnical requirements. Only a bush growing in a favorable environment will serve as an interior decoration, a storehouse of useful substances and will add a unique flavor to your dishes.

By the way! Rosemary is usually planted in the spring.

Growing location: light and temperature

Before you acquire a herb, you need to familiarize yourself with its requirements for growing conditions in advance.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for growing rosemary at home in summer is +20….+25 degrees.

But in winter, it is better to provide rosemary with a cool environment, preferably below 15 degrees (a range of 10-15 degrees is fine.

Important! In order for rosemary to bloom well, it needs coolness in winter when kept at home, and some sources even indicate a temperature of 5-10 degrees.

Illumination

In order for rosemary to form leaves more actively, in winter, a light-loving plant should be placed on the southern (either southwestern or southeastern), western or eastern windowsill.

By the way! If you only have space on the north window sill, there are simple tricks that increase the amount of sunlight entering the room. For example, slopes can be pasted over with mirrors or something shiny. Plus, you can always do backlight.

Indeed, in winter, you can’t do without additional illumination of room greens and vegetables. For this, of course, fitolamps are best suited, but more budgetary full-spectrum LED lamps are a great option. In the short winter days, rosemary responds gratefully to morning and evening supplementary lighting.

By the way! The pot must be periodically turned to the light, first one side, then the other. Thus, deformation can be avoided when the plant arches to one side of the world, which often happens when growing light-loving plants on the windowsill.

In summer, a container with rosemary is transferred to the balcony (loggia): they simply take it out into the garden or plant it on the plot (if it has grown very much). And if you decide to leave a pot of spicy greens on the south window, then you should definitely shade it with something from bright sunlight.

Growing pot

Due to the fact that the root system of rosemary is highly branched, the plant should be planted in a spacious (preferably clay) pot. Optimal planting container dimensions: height 15-20 cm, width 25 cm.

Tip! Initially, it is better to sow the seeds in general containers, from where, when 1-2 true leaves appear, dive into separate small containers. Then, as it grows, transfer to a permanent place in a large beautiful pot.

At the bottom of the pot, do not forget to put a small layer of drainage (expanded clay, pebbles or vermiculite), and also make holes through which excess water will flow into the pan.

What kind of soil to plant (substrate)

The most convenient way is to purchase a universal soil (and it is better for seedlings) in a garden store and then mix it with river sand or perlite (1/3 or 1/4) to make it more loose and breathable.

Interesting! Perlite and vermiculite are 2 loosening agents that have different properties. Perlite improves the air permeability of the soil, and vermiculite - moisture capacity (the ability of the soil to retain moisture).

Of course, garden soil can also be used instead of purchased soil. The main condition is that the soil must be loose, moderately moisture-intensive and necessarily breathable.

Tip! Any, even purchased soil, it is recommended to decontaminate by spilling a solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin . Alternatively, you can steam it in the oven or microwave.

Seed preparation

Rosemary seeds germinate very slowly and poorly: seedlings break through to the surface only 2-4 weeks after sowing. To speed up the emergence of seedlings, it is advisable to pre-soak the seeds (so that they swell) for 1-2 days, remembering to keep the napkins or cotton pads moist (the material in which you usually do this).

By the way! If it is written on a pack of seeds that they do not require any pre-planting preparation, then nothing needs to be done! Right into the ground!

Preparation cuttings for planting, their germination

By the way! You can either cut the cuttings in the garden if you already grow rosemary, or buy them in the supermarket or on the market (fresh), just be sure to trim the tip.

Cuttings required semi-woody.

Preparation of rosemary cuttings for subsequent cultivation on the windowsill is carried out in the following sequence:

  • Next, the lower part must be cleared of leaves.
  • Place cuttings in water to root.
  • When the roots appear (after about 2-3 weeks), you can transplant the cuttings into the ground.

    • Interesting! The author of the next video plants cuttings directly into the ground.

    Video: How to grow rosemary from cuttings at home (without germination in water)

    Direct planting: Sowing seeds and further rooting cuttings

    Rosemary is sown as follows:

    • .
    • Seeds were spread evenly over the moist substrate.
    • Moisturized from a spray bottle and that's it!

    Important! No need to cover with earth! Even by 0.5 cm. And then put in a warm place where the temperature is kept around +25 degrees.

    Lighting does not matter at this stage, so you can put the container in a dark place, such as a cupboard or refrigerator.

    • As soon as the seedlings hatch, the film is removed from the planting container and promptly rearranged to a light (even bright) and cooler place (18-20 degrees).

    Video: how to plant rosemary from seeds - 4 secrets of successful germination

  • Water.
  • Cover with bag.

    • And do not forget to make small holes in the mini-greenhouse so that fresh air still comes to the handle. Or just periodically open for a few minutes.

    • Place in a warm and bright place.
    • As soon as new leaves begin to appear, remove the shelter gradually (after 3-5 weeks).
    • Pinch off the top to start growing side branches.

    Video: how to grow rosemary from cuttings

    How to care for rosemary after planting and before harvesting

    Please note! If rosemary stands in a draft, it can throw off the leaves.

    Watering

    The substrate in the pot should be constantly damp, but never wet. It is better to underfill rosemary and allow the soil to dry out for a short time (the plant is southern, and therefore drought-resistant), rather than turn the soil mixture into a swamp. In other words, when watering a plant, you need to adhere to the golden mean. For rosemary, prolonged dampness or excessive drought is highly undesirable: in the first case, the roots will begin to rot, and the plant will die, in the second, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off, after which the rosemary will dry out.

    It is necessary to water only with water that has settled for 1 day at room temperature.

    During flowering and in winter, the amount of watering is reduced to a minimum. However, it is important to monitor the humidity in winter, when the batteries dry the air. But in the summer you need to water abundantly (at least 2 times a week).

    At first, when rosemary is just gaining green mass, it should be sprayed periodically. But an adult plant is no longer necessary.

    Top dressing

    It makes sense to fertilize rosemary only in the initial period of growth - a couple of times with a frequency of a month. As top dressing, you can use liquid mineral fertilizers.

    Alternatively, you can feed with honey water (1 teaspoon per 0.5 liter of water).

    Idea! Buy a good fertile soil, which includes humus, compost or vermicompost, and then you do not have to apply any fertilizer to the soil.

    Repotting

    Young rosemary should be repotted once a year, preferably in spring (around April). And over the age of 5 years - 1 time in 3-4 years, while it is desirable to change the topsoil annually.

    Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method:

    1. The plant, together with the earthen clod, is taken out of the old pot, and shortly before that, it is poured abundantly so that the earthen clod can be conveniently obtained (so that it does not crumble).
    2. Transfer to a new pot and add the missing soil, lightly tamp it down and water it.

    Pruning (pinching)

    Rosemary should be trimmed from time to time, thereby forming a bush, giving it the desired shape.

    Shearing stimulates the plant to actively grow, as a result of which rosemary grows many new shoots and becomes more lush and beautiful.

    Important! Rosemary will tolerate pruning well if 2/3 of the young shoots are left. But pruning to old wood makes the plant weak and vulnerable, it can start to hurt.

    Cut branches can be used for food or cooking.

    By the way! Over time, rosemary in a pot can be formed into a small tree (bonsai).

    Diseases and pests

    Unfortunately, rosemary is very fond of spider mites (especially when the air in the room is dry) and aphids . At home, to get rid of pests, it is advisable to use exactly with biological preparations (Fitoverma type). In general, harmful insects are perfectly repelled by tobacco dust.

    By the way! Due to stagnant air and lack of ventilation, as well as too high humidity, powdery mildew can develop on rosemary.

    Video: the whole truth about growing rosemary on the windowsill

    Rosemary germination and harvesting time

    Seedlings appear only after 2-4 weeks after sowing.

    Naturally, cuttings take root much faster.

    Learn more