How to Grow Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Drought-tolerant Mediterranean shrub — perennial in mild zones, a pot plant elsewhere.
About rosemary
Rosemary is a woody Mediterranean evergreen that thrives on neglect once established, preferring lean, well-drained soil and full sun. It’s a tender perennial — hardy outdoors in zone 7 and warmer, but elsewhere it’s grown in pots and overwintered indoors. The biggest mistake gardeners make is overwatering it.
When to plant and harvest rosemary
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Difficult from seed — use cuttings
Transplant outdoors
After last frost
Direct sow
Not recommended
Harvest
Year-round in mild zones
How to grow rosemary step by step
- 1
Start from a cutting or nursery plant — seed is slow and unreliable.
- 2
Plant in full sun in lean, sharply drained soil; rosemary hates wet feet.
- 3
Water sparingly once established — it’s drought-tolerant.
- 4
In zone 6 and colder, grow in a pot and overwinter in a cool, bright indoor spot.
- 5
Prune lightly to shape; don’t cut into old leafless wood.
Common problems growing rosemary
⚠ Root rot / sudden death
Overwatering and poor drainage are the top killers — keep it dry and gritty.
⚠ Powdery mildew indoors
Give good airflow and bright light when overwintering inside.
⚠ Winter kill
Not hardy below zone 7 — bring potted plants indoors before hard freezes.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting rosemary
Snip sprig tips year-round as needed; harvest lightly in winter when growth slows. Never strip a branch bare — leave foliage so it can recover.
Rosemary: frequently asked questions
Why does my rosemary keep dying?＋
Almost always overwatering or poor drainage. Rosemary wants lean, gritty soil and prefers to dry out between waterings.
Is rosemary a perennial?＋
Yes in zone 7 and warmer. In colder zones grow it in a pot and overwinter it indoors in a cool, bright spot.
Grow rosemary in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside rosemary, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
