Rosemary is a fragrant, versatile herb beloved by gardeners and cooks alike. Its needle-like leaves add incredible flavor to dishes, while the plant itself is a hardy, attractive addition to any urban garden or indoor plant collection. However, many people struggle with keeping rosemary healthy, often facing the frustration of a dried-out, brittle plant.
If you’ve lost rosemary before or want to avoid this common problem, this guide is here to help. By following these essential care tips and understanding rosemary’s needs, you’ll be able to keep your plant lush, green, and thriving all year long.
Understanding Rosemary’s Natural Habitat
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows in dry, rocky soil with lots of sunlight and good air circulation. Mimicking these natural conditions as much as possible is key to preventing your rosemary from drying out and dying.
Choose the Right Location
Rosemary loves full sun. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day to thrive. Whether you’re growing rosemary in pots on a balcony or in an urban garden, choose a spot where it can bask in plenty of natural light.
If indoors, place rosemary near a south-facing window or under grow lights to make up for insufficient sunlight. Lack of light weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to drying out.
Soil Requirements and Drainage
One of the main reasons rosemary dries out is poor soil drainage. Rosemary roots hate sitting in wet soil, which can cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Use a well-draining, sandy or loamy soil mix for your rosemary. Adding perlite, coarse sand, or small gravel to your potting mix improves drainage. If planting in the garden, ensure the soil is loose and well-aerated.
In pots, always use containers with drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
Watering Tips: Avoid Over- and Under-Watering
Watering rosemary correctly can be tricky. It’s drought-tolerant and prefers soil that dries out slightly between waterings.
Water deeply but infrequently: Water your rosemary thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Then let the soil dry out before watering again.
Check soil moisture: Before watering, stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Avoid soggy soil: Overwatering leads to root rot, which causes the plant to dry out and die.
Avoid underwatering: Prolonged dry soil can cause leaves to turn brown and drop.
