Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
An evergreen shrub with needle-like, aromatic leaves and woody stems, displaying small, labiate flowers in various shades of blue, pink, or white.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Low water requirements once established; highly drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely to prevent root rot.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen woody shrub growing upright or trailing, reaching heights of 2 to 5 feet with a similar spread
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure, well-draining soil, and allow the soil to dry completely between watering sessions. Feed sparingly during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Low water requirements once established; highly drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely to prevent root rot.
Soil
Well-draining, sandy or loamy soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen woody shrub growing upright or trailing, reaching heights of 2 to 5 feet with a similar spread
Bloom season
Spring and early summer, producing small, bilabiate flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white
Propagation
Propagated easily through stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, or by layering and from seed
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot in poorly draining soils and powdery mildew in humid conditions. Occasional pests include spider mites and aphids.
Similar species
Lavender (Lavandula), which features softer, silvery-gray foliage and distinct floral spikes, and Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), which has woolly, silvery leaves with a different aroma.