Rosemary is an aromatic herb that grows as a perennial shrub. It has thin, needle-shaped, gray-green leaves on erect woody stems. It produces clusters of small, light blue to white flowers, usually in late spring or early summer, although it can also bloom at other times of the year. It is best to plant rosemary in the spring after the cold of winter has passed and place it along a path, so that every time you brush past it, the leaves release their aromatic oils.
This plant from the Mediterranean, therefore, thrives in a sunny, sheltered location in well-drained soil. You can have problems in heavy clay soils and particularly in winter, when the soil tends to be wetter. Also, you can plant rosemary in pots, but keep in mind that this herb can grow quite large and you will need pots with fresh compost from time to time. If you are planning to start a vegetable garden, you should know that this is the right way to plant lettuce.
How to plant rosemary in your home
Rosemary is best planted in the spring, once the weather has warmed up. Pots that you can have indoors can generally be planted at any time of the year. This plant needs a sunny location and a well-drained soil. Make sure there are no taller trees or shrubs in the area you have chosen to plant the rosemary, as these can provide unwanted shade.
Try to separate rosemary bushes at least 60 to 90 centimeters apart. Plant nursery seedlings at the same depth at which they were growing in their container. In the case of seeds, they should be barely covered with soil when planting. Generally, it is not necessary to use a support structure for this shrub.
How to plant rosemary in pots
Planting this herb in a container allows you to bring it indoors during cold weather. You can also keep the containers on a patio or terrace near your kitchen for easy access when you need them when you are preparing a delicious dish.
Select a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant and make sure it has sufficient drainage holes. An unglazed clay pot is best for allowing excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
How to grow rosemary from seed?
Rosemary seeds can be difficult to germinate and often fail to thrive. If you want to try growing from seed, plant several more seeds than the plants you hope to grow. Begin planting about three months before the projected last frost date before spring. Spread them in a tray filled with moist seed mix, lightly coating them with the mix.
Cover the tray with plastic wrap to trap moisture and make sure the mixture does not dry out. Place the tray on a heat mat to keep the soil between 25 and 30 degrees C. As soon as seedlings appear, remove the plastic wrap and place the tray inbright light. Once the seeds are about 7 centimeters tall, they can be moved to individual pots or outdoors if the weather is warm.
Potting and transplanting rosemary
Use a light, well-draining potting mix when planting rosemary in a container. Plan to transplant each year into a larger container size, using fresh potting mix. The best time to transplant is in spring. Gently loosen the plant from its previous container and place it at the same depth in the new one, filling all around with soil.
How to prune your rosemary plants?
Prune rosemary as needed to shape its growth after the plant has finished flowering. But do not prune 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 propagate rosemary?
If you want to propagate your own rosemary plant, the best option is to start with a cutting, you can use the ones you got after pruning. Not only is this way economical, but taking cuttings from a mature plant can help promote greater branching and bushier growth.
To do so, cut a piece of healthy stema few centimeters long. Choose softwood new growth for best results. Remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem, leaving at least five knots, and dip the cut end in water or rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in moist potting mix without soil in a small container that has drainage holes and leave it in bright indirect light. In about two to three weeks, you can gently pull the stem to check for roots, if it feels resistance, you will know that roots have developed and you can transplant.