Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Also listed as Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosmarinus prostratus
Climate Match for your location
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A Mediterranean herb shrub prized for aromatic, needle-like foliage and delicate flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white. Highly drought-tolerant once established and excellent for culinary and ornamental uses.
Why grow it
Rosemary offers reliable performance in dry climates where many culinary herbs struggle, making it a practical choice for water-conscious gardens. Compared to other Mediterranean herbs like lavender or santolina, rosemary tolerates partial shade better while still producing harvestable foliage year-round in most temperate regions. Its dense growth habit makes it useful both as a functional kitchen herb and as a low-maintenance structural element in ornamental plantings.
Watch out for
In areas with high humidity or heavy clay soils, rosemary is prone to root rot, particularly during dormant winter months when watering should be minimal. The plant's frost tolerance varies significantly by cultivar; tender varieties may not survive winters below 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit without protection. Established plants can become woody and sparse if not pruned regularly, and they rarely recover well from severe cutbacks into old wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A Mediterranean herb shrub prized for aromatic, needle-like foliage and delicate flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white. Highly drought-tolerant once established and excellent for culinary and ornamental uses.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Rosemary grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Rosemary offers reliable performance in dry climates where many culinary herbs struggle, making it a practical choice for water-conscious gardens. Compared to other Mediterranean herbs like lavender or santolina, rosemary tolerates partial shade better while still producing harvestable foliage year-round in most temperate regions. Its dense growth habit makes it useful both as a functional kitchen herb and as a low-maintenance structural element in ornamental plantings.
Watch out for
In areas with high humidity or heavy clay soils, rosemary is prone to root rot, particularly during dormant winter months when watering should be minimal. The plant's frost tolerance varies significantly by cultivar; tender varieties may not survive winters below 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit without protection. Established plants can become woody and sparse if not pruned regularly, and they rarely recover well from severe cutbacks into old wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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