Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
A hardy Mediterranean evergreen with needle-like leaves and a woody, kitchen-ready scent. It wants full sun, sharp drainage, and good airflow more than frequent water. Easy outdoors in bright, dry spots; indoors it needs a sunny window.
Light
Full Sun
Water
Low
Difficulty
Moderate
Humidity
Low
Pet Friendly
Rosemary is non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. It is safe for culinary use around pets in small quantities.
Care Notes
Light
Rosemary thrives in full sun: at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. Indoors, use a south window and add a grow light in winter if days are short.
Water
Once established it is drought-tolerant. Let the top two inches of mix dry before watering again. Overwatering and poor drainage lead to root rot quickly. Young plants need more consistent moisture than mature ones.
Soil
Use sandy or gravelly soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Choose a planter with large drainage holes. Terracotta helps the mix dry between waterings.
Humidity & Temperature
Prefer warm rooms and low humidity. Strong airflow matters more than misting. Skip humid bathrooms and crowded plant clusters that trap moisture and invite mildew.
Common Issues
Powdery mildew shows up in stale, humid air. Yellowing and soft stems usually mean wet soil. Prune regularly for shape, and never remove more than one-third of the foliage at once. Early spring cuts on woody stems help renew growth.
In-Depth Care & Growth
Feeding & Soil
Fertilizer
Organic balanced fertilizer or fish emulsion
Soil
Sandy, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH
Physical Attributes
Mature Size
2-4 feet tall and wide indoors; up to 6 feet in the garden
Growth Rate
Moderate
Propagation
Stem cuttings (best), layering, or seeds (slower and less reliable)
Common Varieties
Tuscan Blue
Upright habit with broad, deep forest-green needle leaves packed along sturdy stems.
Arp
Thick blunt-tipped needles in muted grayish-green to silvery-blue.
Prostratus
Dark green needle leaves on low-spreading, cascading stems.
Blue Boy
Compact dwarf form with tiny narrow grayish-green needles in a dense pattern.
Miss Jessup's Upright
Columnar form with narrow dark green needles and silvery-white undersides.