Rosemary is one of my favourite herbs, and while it’s quite easy to grow, I have a few tips on how to care for a fresh rosemary plant.
When I first bring a rosemary plant home from the greenhouse, I like to transplant it into a slightly larger pot that has good drainage holes. That way it has plenty of room to put down a sturdy root system during the summer. When I bring it in for the winter, I may repot once again, as hopefully it will have grown quite a bit.
Rosemary is a tender evergreen perennial grown as an annual in most areas of Canada. It loves full sun, tolerates shade and does very well in containers. It prefers light, well-drained soil.
So here’s the “down and dirty” part. If you want to keep your plant as healthy as possible for as long as possible, this is what I would recommend.
How to Care for a Fresh Rosemary Plant*
- Remove your new rosemary plant from pot and if it seems potbound, pinch the roots to loosen, and stimulate growth
- Choose a new, larger pot, with good drainage
- Rosemary does not like to dry out, but it does not like to stand in water either, so place something on the bottom to help increase drainage even more—I used a plastic liner from one of my summer pots
- Put soil in the bottom of the pot
- Place the plant inside, then pour more soil down the sides, pressing down as you go until the soil reaches the top, making sure you don’t cover the top of the root ball
- Water rosemary when the soil at the top feels dry
- I like to either mist or spray the top of the plant quite regularly. It keeps spider mites at bay, and also revitalizes it
- Having said this – most experts will tell you powdery mildew is a problem with rosemary, so make sure there is lots of airflow around the plant
This also works well on the large topiary plants available around Christmas-time.
Rosemary Topiary at Christmas
larger pot
if it seems potbound, pinch roots to loosen and stimulate growth
water well, using a sprayer but let drain completely
And lastly, don’t forget to use the herb in your cooking and baking. Pinch off the fresh new green ends that are sure to grow now that it’s happy!
*Since being first published on Keeping With the Times in 2013, this post has been revised and updated.
Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these:
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- Rosemary Thyme Shortbread
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- Fresh Mint Tea
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- Maple Walnut Dressing
I have brought my rosemary in for the winter. I am not sure how long I can keep it going but it sure looks pretty right now with little white lights on it.
very cool demonstration through your photography Barb. lovely photos. since i grow my rosemary outside no need to have it inside as it really doesn’t do as well with the AC on in the house but it sure looks lovely in yours. Love the pail.
Oh gosh Barb, I saw my first rosemary topiary yesterday during our Thanksgiving with my daughter. I guess I don’t get out much, huh? Didn’t even know they made these! And thanks SO MUCH for the care tips. I’m definitely getting myself one (or two) of these!! It’s the PERFECT solution this year. We always travel for Christmas and our ornery cat Bart LOVES to tear up my Christmas tree, so I’ve decided to forego the tree this year until he’s older and this will be absolutely PERFECT for a replacement along with my other decorations.
Can’t WAIT for that recipe!!
Shoot! Forgot to say I LOVE your pail too!!
Thank you, Cheryl! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
So beautiful, what a great idea.
Happy to read how to take care of this.. I adore this herb also. Loved the posting and images. As always “Stellar”.
Thank you, Lisa!
Perfect for the holidays. I think I need one too… off to Costco and see if they have them..:) Thank you. So uplifting.
Such a magical way to have a cute, fragrant tree with lights! And your new pail is the best find of all!! Love the 2nd photo, a LOT, and your how to photos! Enjoy!!! Looking forward to your upcoming recipe as well.
What a great idea for the holiday season! I used to grow mine outside while in Italy, but here in Scotland I don’t have a garden or a balcony. I must try this. Thanks! Lovely photos, btw. :)
that’s really cute!
Barb I love your header it’s really great. You would love our garden we have three huge Rosemary plants that flower all the time in fact it’s difficult to know when to prune them !!! In fact one of them is threatening to grow up past the window sill in the front of the house. Don’t you just love twinkle lights ? I’m waiting to get some twisted willow or hazel to thread some lights…
Thank you, Viv! I love my new header too! Isn’t Anna Aspnes the best!! I wish you would photograph those rosemary plants and publish them so I could see them!
What a wonderful post, Barb! I can almost smell that rosemary! It looks fantastic at this size and so beautiful with the lights!
Oh, what a great idea, Barb, a rosemary Christmas tree !
And I so love that pail, it’s gorgeous !
Thanks for all the tips …
Nice weekend,
Sylvia
I love rosemary too! I love your post too – what a wonderful way to decorate for the holidays!
I’d never seen a rosemary topiary, nor heard of rosemary being kept indoors. What a great idea and with some little lights as well it sure does make a darling little tree. Useful all year round too.
I have to agree with you … rosemary smells wonderful! And your looks wonderful as well … I can almost smell it!
This is beautiful, Barb, and like you, I so love the scent.
Thank you for the information here, and have a wonderful weekend.
I love Rosemary too. I have 2 different types growing in my back yard. The scent just soothes me. I’m loving that vintage tin pail too.
Oh, I love this, Barb. Such beautiful photographs and demonstration. Very lovely. :)
Barb Thank You!
I love the smell of fresh rosemary. So wonderful, because of this I buy a plant every year. And every year between me and the cat (she has a nasty habit of chewing on the plant…) the plant ends up dead within 3 months ;(
That being said the plants always came in a larger pot so I never thought to transplant them, and I didn’t water them the way you do. I will be employing your technique this time around. Here’s hoping that it survives (although the cat will still be an issue…)
Sharing on Facebook and Pinterest in hopes that you are able to save more than just my Rosemary plants ;)
I’m no expert, but you might try some red pepper to keep your cat away from the rosemary. Just a thought!
Oh, what a great idea, Barb, a rosemary Christmas tree !
And I so love that pail, it’s gorgeous !
Thanks for all the tips …
Nice Sunday,
Sylvia
Oh, what a great idea, Barb, a rosemary Christmas tree !
And I so love that pail, it’s gorgeous !
Thanks for all the tips …
Have a nice week,
Sylvia
What a wonderful find…like the way you have used it for you beautiful rosemary Christmas tree….great idea…thank you.
What a fun and informative post. i love the lights on your rosemary. can I just buy yours? : )
My favorite of all herbs! I use it in porkchops and potato dishes.
So nice to see a “gardening” post this time of year. Love rosemary!
Great Post thanks.
I love rosemary too, I was wondering if you have chlorinated tapwater, and if it bothers your rosemary.
i bought rosemary plant but mines is dying badly how can I save it please help me