Botanical profile

Rosemary

Latin name
_Salvia rosmarinus_
Common name
Rosemary
Type
Non-hardy aromatic shrub
Family
Lamiaceae

Rosemary is an aromatic plant highly valued for its evergreen, narrow, and fragrant foliage, with a resinous, warm, and slightly peppery taste. Indispensable in Mediterranean cuisine, it wonderfully flavors grilled meats, potatoes, roasted vegetables, marinades, sauces, breads, flavored oils, fish, and stews. Its elegant habit and dark green foliage also add a beautiful decorative touch to patio pots, herb gardens, rockeries, and sunny arrangements.

Easy to grow during the warm season, rosemary prefers a sunny, warm, and well-ventilated location, in light, poor to moderately fertile, and very well-drained soil. It tolerates heat and drier conditions well once established but does not tolerate excessive water and heavy soils. In pots, it is important to let the potting mix dry out slightly between waterings and to choose a well-drained container. As it is not very hardy in our climate, it is often grown as an annual or brought indoors before the cold, in a very bright location.

Both aromatic, decorative, and useful for pollinators when it flowers, rosemary is an essential plant for creating a gourmet garden with a Mediterranean style. Its stems can be harvested as needed and used fresh or dried, with a concentrated flavor that often requires little quantity. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a fragrant, heat-resistant herb perfect for containers, patios, and sunny vegetable gardens.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Evergreen aromatic foliage essential in Mediterranean cuisine
Container, patio, balcony, herb garden, rock garden, Mediterranean cuisine
Container growing
Excellent pot culture, recommended for cold climates
Seasonal care
Bring indoors away from severe frost in cold climates; prune lightly after flowering or in spring; avoid overwatering
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate; allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings
Humidity
Low to average humidity; prefers dry, well-drained soils
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; light to moderate fertilization in pots
Soil type
Light, sandy, poor to medium, and very well-drained soil
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-10°C
Propagation method
Cuttings or seedlings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Spring to summer
Flower color
Pale blue to purple
Foliage color
Dark green
Foliage type
Persistent
Shape
Upright, bushy, branched habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
24 to 48 in. (60 to 120 cm)
Width
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Growth rate
Average growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Lavender, thyme, sage, oregano
Plants to avoid
Mint, basil (which like more humidity)
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves all year round in pots or from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

Deer
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer

Deer

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.