Make the most of culinary herbs and spices.

Hello. I have a question about a rosemary plant. We transplanted a small rosemary plant to the front of our yard last fall. It has grown a bit, to over two feet tall. Today I noticed that the tops of its branches are curling down into a 90 degree angle. Is this normal growth, or a problem? Could it be due to over-watering or crowded roots? I have never trimmed the plant, should I start to do so now, at the start of the spring? This is a very special plant to us, planted to commemorate the passing of our dog, who loved to walk through rosemary bushes. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ER

After you wrote I noticed some of the new growth on my own plant was doing the same thing. I also noticed that these branches were probably getting knocked against the barbeque grill by the wind. Perhaps yours are also getting a bit of abuse by the weather. I don't think it indicates any big problems but you certainly couldn't go wrong by giving the plant a trim.

 

Hello, I began growing a small rosemary plant at the end of the summer. It lives on the front porch in a medium sized pot (about 10"), and gets good sunlight. I have used a few sprigs here and there, but it is not growing back and is beginning to look a little thin. What can I do to help it grow back? Thanks! SRS

You don't say where you live so it could be that your plant has gone into a slow growing phase because the weather is cool or cold. If your temperatures are low I suspect your plant will resume growing again once it warms up a bit. If you are in a warm climate, you might consider adding a bit of lime to the soil or giving the plant a light dose of fertilizer. Pay attention to watering--not too much but not too little either. Find more tips below.

 

We have several rosemary planted on the north side of the house. We are in southwest Florida in an area that was formerly swamp type land that was filled with who knows what. Although they seem to be growing, most of the plants are turning gray. They were green and healthy when transplanted. We mulched with grass clippings after transplanting. Any clue as to what might be the cause? Thanks. JF

Rosemary is often described as having gray-green needles so it might just be a natural state developing as it matures. Look closely, however, because if you see a sort of talc-like substance on the leaves, it might be powdery mildew.

 

I live in NYC and want to know if I should keep rosemary inside under a grow light throughout the summer (it would get 6-7 hours direct sunlight) but I'm afraid of it getting watered too much by summer thunderstorms. Also how should I take care of it for the winter (and how to move it inside if it should be brought outside). BH

Your rosemary would probably be happier outdoors in natural light. You don't have to worry about too much water as long as the pot it is in has a drainage hole in the bottom. Good drainage is very important to rosemary. The plant can handle cold temperatures but if it gets down into the 20's (F) you would want to protect it by bringing it indoors to a sunny window or moving it close to a building out of the wind.

 

I have a small rosemary plant in a pot that I want to use as a kitchen herb. It is in it’s second year (quite a trick as I live in Ontario and winters are short on daylight). It is starting to sprout flowers. Do I trim them off to keep the herb plant as a herb or do I just let them bloom? Will it affect flavour or growth? PC

Sounds like you have a happy little rosemary plant. The flowers are just a natural part of growth. You don't need to trim them off and they won't change the flavor.

 

I have 2 slightly different looking rosemary plants. Both are very healthy and growing like weeds, but neither has any scent, even when rolled in my fingers. What's up with that? Thanks for your help! LM

It may be that your plants are growing so fast that they don't have the energy to generate essential oils. If you are using a fertilizer, stop and try allowing more time between waterings.

 

Hi, I have a rosemary plant that I've had for about 3 years on my kitchen window sill. It was doing great, but getting little bushy, so I trimmed it a little bit. This was about a year ago. Since then it has been in continuous bloom and has not grown at all. I've looked on the internet, but everyone seems to have the opposite problem! I don't want to use any leaves from it, since it is not growing. Any ideas to get it growing again? Thanks, BD

Sometimes plants throw out flowers when they are in trouble. Since yours is an indoor plant, I wonder if you might be watering it too much. Rosemary hates wet feet. Light may be another issue. Perhaps you could move it to a window where it gets more sun.

 

Hi, I have a Rosemary plant that will be in its second season now. Is there any change in quality as a herb for cooking that takes place with Rosemary as the plant gets older? I very much would like to keep the same plant for a few years but want to make sure that the Rosemary does not reduce in strength and flavor, or get bitter, as the plant gets older. Also, once the plant is in bloom, is there any noticeable change in the flavor of the Rosemary? Great Web site! Thanks, BJ

Rosemary plants age quite well. I don't think you will notice any change as it gets older or when it blooms.

 

Hi! I have a large Rosemary plant in our yard and it never blooms. We live in AZ. and their are plenty of Rosemary plants every-where, all of the others bloom with beautiful Purple and ours never bloom. The scent is also much stronger than the others. Do you have an answer? Thank You. JP

I can't really come up with a good answer except to inquire about your pruning habits. It could be that you are pruning your plant at the wrong time of year, in effect cutting off the forming blooms. The best time to do any major pruning to rosemary is after it has flowered. Most rosemary varieties bloom spring to summer but given your location, I suppose this would be considered spring.

 

Hi. I had a nice rosemary plant growing over the summer, brought it in the house as winter approached and it died in the house. I've been cooking with the dried leaves off the dead plant as I would normal dried rosemary. Is it bad to eat the dead leaves or is it basically the same as normal dried herbs? Thanks BD

Considering that we basically kill the branch that we snip from the plant, I think you're right that it is like other dried herbs.

 

I have a rosemary bush on a barrier island off the coast of NC. It’s about 5 ft tall, however ½ of it is dead or has no leaves and is brown. I have never pruned it . It is in sand. An ole farmer told me to prune it back to the ground. Is he correct? B

I don't know if you have to prune it all back. I would start with just pruning out the dead branches.

 

I live in Eastern Pennsylvania. My established in-ground Rosemary crop looks brown and dead at the bottom of the plants, like it is dead from lack of water. But many of the branches have green and alive top section (maybe 3 inches of the top) are alive while rest of branch looks brown and dead. We have had very bad summer weather. First, two months of extreme heat and drought and then a month of extreme record setting rain. Do you think all these plants are dead from a disease/blight, or are suffering from weather? Is there anyway to save them if only the tops remain green with whole sections are brown and dead-looking? I have managed to winter over these plants for three or four years now, even in zone 6. This is very devastating. Please help. DDB

Rosemary is a rugged plant and it sounds like yours is bouncing back after a rough summer. I would leave it be for now, any sort of trimming may stimulate tender growth that would be at risk in the cold, and then evaluate the plants in the spring.

 

I have just bought a house surrounded by established beds with a variety of local plants [Houston, TX] I was delighted to find a rosemary bush tucked in with all the other stuff. My teen has already used it in one dish [lamb chops] with satisfying results. Tonight I went to cut some for the pork chops, and notice a sticky feel to my fingers, and pine-like smell. Seems I have the “pine-scented” variety. However, upon closer inspection, I find the leaves appear to be ‘dusted’ with a whitish or whitish-yellow substance. It does not brush off or scrape off easily. Is this the mildew I have read about on the web? Or perhaps spider-mites? Or something else I don’t know about. My plant knowledge is limited and my reputation with plants in general is dismal. What do you think it is? Will it hurt the plant...or me if I eat the rosemary? How to get rid of it? Thank you very much, AM

Rosemary generally has that pine scent and is somewhat sticky, however, the condition you describe is most likely powdery mildew. It is a fungal disease caused by lack of air circulation and/or hot, dry weather. The Colorado State University Extension Office provides a good online article about the subject. Personally, I don't think I would eat the rosemary until the condition has cleared up.

 

Do I need to chop or at least cut up my fresh rosemary before I measure it for a recipe? LS

Most recipes will specify how the rosemary should be prepared. If a recipe calls for a sprig, you don't need to chop it, but if it calls for, say "1 tablespoon fresh," they would mean the leaves should be removed from the stems and chopped or minced.

 

A few years ago my room mate grew a rosemary plant from seed. I am not sure which breed. When he moved he left it with me. I planted it in the ground last spring. It seems to be doing well despite the incident with with a lawnmower. This spring I noticed that some of the leaves are growing bigger and turning red and brown on the ends. They don't seem dry and smell normal. Is this a problem? Does it have anything to do with it never blooming? --Pass some love around, CR

 Time will tell, but I suspect the lawnmower incident took off the forming blooms and resulted in a bit of damage to the remaining branches. The leaves may be growing larger this year since the plant has become better established in its new spot.

 

Hi there. I had a beautiful rosemary bush until I cut it back. It has been a very bad winter this year and it was looking really bad. So, I cut it thinking I was helping it, but I may have killed it. Do you think there is a chance it will survive? I have a very large and developed herb garden and would hate to have to replace it with a young plant. Thanks, SC

I think it will come around, especially since it is an established plant.

 

I have a rosemary Christmas tree that my husband bought me but on the back of the information card reads for decoration only: do not consume. Is this true? TL

Your plant was probably grown with chemicals to stimulate growth and prevent pests so it is considered an ornamental rather than culinary plant.

 

I have a large 4' plus tall rosemary bush which is planted in my garden. It is starting to split in the middle and lay down and a few of the branches are yellowing. Can I transplant the bush, split and break into more than one plant or would doing so kill it. What could be causing the yellowing? I live in southeastern North Carolina so weather is not a factor. Thanks. PW

I had a similar situation when snow broke my rosemary bush right in half. My recommendation is to look and see where the break is and trim off the part that is only hanging on to the trunk. You won't be able to salvage the broken part just because that isn't how this plant is propagated. The yellowing is likely due to the fact that those branches are no longer attached to the plant. Once you have established which part of the plant is still attached to the rootball, it shouldn't be any problem to transplant that part. My own rosemary is thriving now.

 

I live in Las Vegas and my rosemary bushes have little clumps of white foamy stuff all over them and they are turning brown right in the center of the plant, both of them. What's wrong with them and is this something that might spread to the rest of my plants? JG

Sounds like spittlebugs, which don't generally hurt plants although they can. Try giving your plants a strong spray of water to wash them away.

 

I live in Reno. NV (zone 6-7). I have a 4ft tall brick planter that I have been trying to grow trailing rosemary in. SOME years the plants over winter, but, usually I have to replant some if not all of the plants. I was wondering if I twined a cable soil heater or heat tape around the plants when I replant if that would possibly protect them when the temperatures occasionally dip to 5 degrees or so? If you don't think so, can I train a cold hardy upright type of rosemary (Arp or Madeline Hill ,both zone 5-6) to be more prostate by pruning somehow? Thank you for any help you can give me!!

 As so often happens with this Q&A, I have learned something new. I didn't know these cable soil heaters even existed. I can't imagine why your idea wouldn't work. You might ask more questions about using them from whomever you buy it since it seems like a bad idea to use electricity around water.

 

I have a potted rosemary that had grown fantastically over the summer. I live in the southern most Lancaster PA, and as the fall settled in we brought the planter in and placed it in the southern exposure window and all of the leaves (needles) have dried and fell of and the stems have died out. I have harvested the herb and moved the plant to the garage to see how it winters. Do you have any thoughts? JB

I think you're probably going to need a new plant. Rosemary has a hard time recovering from drying out as you describe. You are right to give it a chance and the garage is a good spot, especially if there is a window. Next year, you might want to try taking the pot from the outdoors right into the garage and it will likely fair better (unless, like I always do, you forget to water it!).

 

I live in the northern Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico. It is not like Arizona or California because the altitude is higher (4000 feet) so it gets cold, below freezing, in the winter. I have a beautiful trailing rosemary in a pot in my courtyard. In the summer I water it when it is completely dry as recommended and it does fine. Does the same hold true in the winter? Thank you. DD

Plants tend to dry out a bit quicker in the cold so you should follow your regular watering pattern, but maybe just keep a closer eye on it.

 

On the soil of my rosemary plant, there is some white stuff around the edges of the pot, I water every other day, what is the white stuff? Thanks, AR

Most likely it is a calcium build-up or some sort of residue left from the minerals in the water.

 

I have access to rosemary that grows along a busy 4 lane road. I make a meat rub with rosemary and want to use this rosemary. When I picked the rosemary my fingers were not only sticky (common) but were very black with what I assume is road grime. How do I wash this rosemary so it is safe to eat? Thanks BF

I say don't eat it. These plants have been exposed to engine exhaust for their entire lifespan. That can't be a good thing to eat.

 

I used to order a dish call "Rosemary Chicken" in a restaurant in Dillon, CO. They have since discontinued making it and I asked them how was it made. They told me a few ingredients - rosemary herb and whipped cream and poured over ravioli filled with chicken. The color of the sauce or gravy was olive green. It was delicious. I am not a great cook but would you have any idea how to make it? It was some what sweet. Thank you for listening. CA

That does sound good. I would start by trying a simple reduction of rosemary-infused cream. This is accomplished by bringing the heavy cream to a full boil, add a few sprigs of rosemary and continue boiling until there is only half as much cream as you started with. Strain out the rosemary then season with salt and white pepper.  I'm not sure if this would make it the olive green you describe, but I'll bet you would get a nice flavor.

 

Hi, I purchased several rosemary plants this past summer. Two I kept in the house by the window and they produce light and tender needles. The outside bush has become large and the needles are broader and much larger. It looks very healthy but not as nice to eat. Perhaps they are different varieties....do you think both are edible? I wonder if I should just let the larger one grow into an evergreen as that is the appearance it has. I love cooking with this wonderful herb and appreciate your website, it is very helpful! Regards, HS

There are many different varieties of rosemary and as long as you are certain the one outdoors is actually rosemary, there's no reason not eat it (except that it doesn't taste as good). They do make nice shrubs. You might also enjoy using it for the flavor and aroma by throwing a few of the branches into the fire next time you barbeque.

 

I bought a rosemary plant from Home Depot about 6 months ago. It sits on the back porch and gets approximately 6 hours of direct sun. About a month after I got it half of it leaned over and died. The small 6 inch plant that is left has never grown any more. It looks very healthy and green with great aroma and I have pulled off a couple of the leaves for cooking and it is just getting smaller. What would you suggest? ST

Sounds like maybe a stem got broken off of the side that died. For the part that remains, make sure you aren't overwatering and give it a little more time. It sounds like it's okay, but you might give it just a light dose of a natural seaweed fertilizer to invigorate it.

 

I live in Miami and I've noticed when I pull the leaves off the stem of my rosemary plant to use it the leaves don't come off easily and the plant it a bit sticky. I've rinsed it off and used it but is this safe? Do you think it is because of the heat? Thank you, VP

Just from curiosity I went out and snipped rosemary from my own garden. After stripping the leaves, my hands did seem a bit sticky. The leaves came off easily, however, it was tender new growth. Perhaps yours are resisting because it is from an older part of the plant?

 

Hi - I've been reading your Q&A page this evening and you certainly are a wealth of knowledge! I didn't see anything that pertained to my situation so I'll ask directly: I live in central Texas (Austin), which seems to be a great climate for rosemary. A friend is moving and offered to let me have/transplant her rosemary bush, which I'd love to do. However, you say that spring and fall are the best times to do this, and now it's already in the 80-90 degree range here (Fahrenheit). Is it unwise to transplant in this weather? And do those times also apply to planting rosemary plants purchased, say, from a nursery? Thanks!! JR

You can transplant at any time of the year, but the heat will be added stress so you'll want to baby your plant along for awhile. Make sure the soil it goes into is high quality, maybe add a bit of compost if you're putting it into the ground, and provide plenty of water as needed. Do keep in mind that rosemary doesn't tolerate "wet feet" so don't overdo the water either.

 

I have a recipe that calls for 5 sprigs of rosemary. How much dried rosemary should I use? BM

I think I would start with about one teaspoon dried rosemary for this switch and then taste it to see if that is enough.

 

Hi - I brought my 2 rosemary plants inside to winter a couple of months ago. We live in Minnesota. Usually I just cut down my rosemary in my herb garden in late fall and just start fresh and buy/enjoy a big plant throughout the summer and fall. I thought I would try potting them this year and try and winter them. Sunny southern exposure near our front door. They appear to be doing fine however I noticed today that there are tiny tiny black bugs all over one of the plants and now on our curtains. I assume they are aphids. There are no other house plants. Is there anyway I can treat them? They are tiny! Thanks! HC

If they are indeed aphids you should be able to wash them away with a strong spray of water. Since it's probably too cold outside perhaps you could accomplish this in the bathtub.

 

Hello, I'm hoping you can suggest a rosemary that I can perennialize in my zone 6a garden. I have a few large cold frames and have found that many plants and herbs survive very well in these throughout the cold months of the year. But there are constraints. Space in the cold frames is at a premium, and nothing that grows too tall is suitable. And I want a good culinary variety, not one that just looks nice. So, is there a savory and prostrate variety of rosemary that doesn't grow too wide or too tall? I got an unknown variety of rosemary once that in retrospect seems perfect, but that was before I had cold frames, and it died in its first winter. Thanks for any suggestions. KH

Take a look at a variety called "Arp." Territorial Seeds says it will survive to zone 5 with minimal protection. It gets to be about 4 feet tall.

 

How many grams of dried rosemary are there in 1 teaspoon? RAR

One teaspoon of my homegrown and dried rosemary, slightly crushed, weighs in at .6 of a gram.

 

Good morning, I am trying to determine how large (width and depth) of a hole I should dig to give my 2 yr old potted rosemary bushes roots plenty of room to grow in the future when planted in our landscape. In what direction does the root system of a rosemary bush grow in nature? Down? Straight out (horizontal)? All over? Do the roots extend past the outer-most branches? And in what proportion is the root system to the plant above the ground? Right now the plants are about 18-24” tall and ~ 18” across planted in 8 gal pots. I live in zone 8b (Austin, TX) with hard clay soil so I know I need to break up the soil really well, amend with compost and provide good drainage. Just want to know which direction should I should focus my digging? Down or out? DM

I would go both ways digging a hole that is about twice as wide and deep as the pot that the rosemary is currently in.

 

My rosemary has scale. Can I spray it with an oil spray before bringing it in for the winter? I don’t need to use it for cooking until I get rid of the scale anyway so the oil will not be a problem in that respect. Thank you so much! AW

I can't think of any reason why you couldn't spray the plant. Just make sure you are using the proper spray for the pest you have and that it is safe for food plants.

 

Hi dear, my 10 years old rosemary bushes has light green sorts. I spray for bugs, Ortho product and is not getting better. One bush after the vibrant color green the leaves started to dry and the whole tree dry to death. Please help me how stop this madness. Thank you CM

I doubt that bugs are your problem. It's sounds more like a deficiency or a disease. The best thing you can do it snip a good-sized sample and take it to a local nursery or greenhouse to see if they can help you remedy the situation.

 

I live in Las Vegas, NV. My landscape architect just planted creeping rosemary in our new front yard. I’m wondering if creeping rosemary is safe to use in cooking, or if it’s just for “looks.” Thank you. LP

Creeping, or prostrate, rosemary is indeed still culinary rosemary. The question here is how yours were grown. The nursery or supplier may have used chemicals to produce hardy, landscape-worthy plants so you should check the origin.

 

Hi, I have an 6-7ft rosemary plant that has been in the same place for about 12 years. This year some of the branches have a brown crusty sort of stuff on them and a good part of the lowest section of them have turned gray and I believe are dying. What is the brown stuff, does the gray branches mean it is dying and how much should I cut back? I have read not to cut more than one third but there is more than that on the plant. This is the first time I have had any issue with the plant. It is beside an lilac tree and a sage bush, which neither of them as shown any sign of problems. Thank you for your time to answer this issue. CO

It's hard to say what the problem or problems might be without seeing the damage. It might be a good idea to take a sample branch to your local garden center to see if they can help you.

 

When visiting my daughter in Sacramento, California, I see such beautiful rosemary bushes. I would like to find a perennial rosemary that would stand the cold of zone 5 in Chautauqua County, western NYS, and that would grow substantially large. The typical rosemary plant I buy at the nurseries locally are spindly and only grow a few inches. Any advice? CB

You may be out of range for the rosemary plant of your dreams. The folks at the National Arboretum have put together a list of winter hardy varieties along with tips to help plants through the winter. One alternative would be put get a large pot on wheels that you could have a nice rosemary plant outdoors in the summer and then take it inside during the winter.

 

HI, My Rosemary is about 5-6 years old at least, 4 feet tall, and has been flourishing every year. I just went out to cut some branches to bring indoors and noticed that there were a number of dead branches and the tip of every branch had needles that were a darker brown and dying. I cut off each tip, but some of the needles further down were also a dark brown. I brought in some of the dead branches and may use them in my smoker or BarBQ Grill. Any idea on what is causing the branch tips to turn brown and the branches to die? We did have a cold winter this year, but not a lot of rain or snow. Thanks, CCS

Your description fits what happened to my rosemary this winter too. I noticed some branches were dead because they had broken off under the weight of snow. In addition to the stress of the cold, your plant could be a little dehydrated as well as wind whipped. If you aren't getting much rain you might want to give it a drink but it should be okay.

 

I have had great trouble recently acquiring Rosemary. Any suggestions why this is and is there a substitute? RI

I can't imagine why you would have trouble getting your hands on rosemary. It's been a tough winter but rosemary is a tough plant. In a pinch, you might use lavender as a substitute. They are similar in flavor.

 

Hi, We live in Northern California and have four true seasons winter snow etc. and have creeping rosemary in our garden area. These have been in the ground for many years and have been thriving. They are actually quite large. However this winter it appears we have lost 98% of the plants. They just began to turn and drop all the leaves. Should I cut them back and hope they will regrow or leave the branches in hopes that they will rebloom? Thanks for time regarding this matter. SB

I've been hearing many people say they lost their rosemary to this crazy winter. I suggest you give it a bit more time to see if they will start putting out green leaves again. Once they do, if they do, you will see what is dead and can prune that out.

 

When I was in Nev. this past summer I saw spreading rosemary used as ground cover, it looked beautiful. I live in central Florida and have an up right rosemary in the garden. Will the spreading/trailing rosemary grow here? So far I have had no luck finding it at any local stores. BD

The variety you seek is known as "prostrate" and should do well in your area. You might look for nurseries that specialize in rock garden plants. I did find it for sale as a plant only in my Territorial Seed catalog.

 

I planted rosemary approximately 6-8 months ago. I thought by now it would have grown outward to each side, as I've seen most rosemary bushes. Instead, all my plants have grown a couple inches upward. What did I do incorrectly or did I plant the wrong kind??? Thanks GG

It is a plant's natural inclination to grow up rather than out. To encourage a plant to be bushy instead of tall we can snip from the uppermost growth. This causes the plant to send out shoots from the side as well.

 

Greetings: I love the taste of Rosemary and I have a habit of grabbing a piece if I'm walking down the street and a business might have a bush growing. But sometimes I've noticed that it'll make my throat burn and I wondered if there was any harm eating Rosemary without washing it off? DL

It is a bad idea to eat any plant if you don't know how it grown or if it is not grown as a food. Landscape plantings are often treated with pesticides and fertilizers to maintain a lush appearance.

 

My recipe calls for one bunch of rosemary. It's 2 degrees outside. All I have in the house is ground rosemary. Can you help with a conversion? SW

One bunch of rosemary is a large quantity. I'm guessing it would be removed at the end of cooking. To flavor the recipe with ground rosemary, you might start with a half teaspoon or so and taste to see if you need to make adjustments.

 

Hi & thanks for having such an awesome resource! The people that maintain our lawn were cleaning out our flowerbeds thinking they were doing a good thing. Turns out they cut my wife’s rosemary bushes down (apparently thinking they were weeds?) at the base. The plants were about 3 feet tall and ½-3/4” in diameter at the base. Are these plants pretty much toast or is rosemary hearty enough to actually grow back from such a calamity? We live in Charlotte, NC – a very rosemary friendly place, climate-wise. Thanks in advance! CH

Oh dear. Given your location, I would bet that they will come back. It shouldn't take too long to see if new growth occurs. I am quite curious, however, so I hope you'll let us know what happens.

 

Hi, I have a rosemary plant approximately 6 months old and I've noticed that one of the main branches and its subsequent branches appeared broken open in areas revealing patches of small bumps. I have pruned the offending branch, but was wondering what could have caused this to happen. Thanks. JT

It's nearly impossible to say without actually having seen it but perhaps there was winter/spring-related damage from temperature fluctuation or some other bark injury before you got it.

 

Hello! I’ve had an established rosemary plant outside my home for at least three years. A few weeks ago I noticed small white hard lumps on it, each about the size of a half grain of rice… when I pulled one off, it appeared to “bleed” and even smeared a “blood colored” substance on the paper. I waited and did not see a bug or anything emerge from the small lump… what am I looking at and do I have to dig out my rosemary to save my other plants (tomato, basil, sage etc). Thanks! VF

I want to say that it might be an insect called "scale" but I'm not aware of them bleeding. Scale usually appear on the bark of the main stem and can sometimes be eradicated by wiping them off with cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol. Please do look into this insect further before taking any action.

 

Hi there- We planted two rosemary bushes on the ground that we bought from the nursery about a month ago. Both bushes don’t look too good as their leaves are curled, look dull, and not so green (small specs of yellow). The bottom branches have dried out and so were the leaves on it. Before planting, we tested our drainage and water seems to drain ok. We’ve only been watering twice at most three times a week at this time. All the other plants that we planted next to it are doing very well. The rosemary does not seem to have any sort of infestation at all. We also don’t notice spurt of new growth. Any idea what condition our rosemary might be in? Thanks for your help!! PD

Your plants may just be suffering a bit of transplant shock but I'm also concerned about root rot or crown rot. Rosemary is susceptible to these fungal conditions. Gently move the soil away from the stem at ground level and see if it looks healthy or sort of blackish. You might also cut back on the watering a bit. Check about three inches down into the soil to see if it really needs water.

 

I think my rosemary plant has spittle bugs. What would you suggest to get rid of the spittle bugs and white foam? After getting rid of the bugs and foam, would the rosemary be safe to use in cooking, or would the spittle bug eggs still be likely to be in/on the plant, and could they become like a parasite for humans? Thanks, D.

Spittle bugs are mostly harmless. You could try just washing them off the plant with a strong stream of water. I wouldn't be worried about the rosemary being safe but if it makes you more comfortable you could just wash it well before using.

 

My rosemary plant (potted) has white sap oozing out of it, close to the tips of the sprigs. What is it, and is it harmful to the plant or to people? The weather has been damp. D

My first question is if the sap is actually coming from the plant or could it be the result of a pest like the spittle bug? They leave a sort of foam behind them as they feed.

 

I am starting the South Beach Diet and one of the recipes calls for both Rosemary leaves and Rosemary sprigs. I have tried to find pictures of both to distinguish the difference, but have so far been unsuccessful. Can you please tell me the difference between the 2?

The leaves can be stripped from the stems by holding the tip in your fingers and pulling down gently in the opposite direction of which they have grown. A sprig is just the leaves still attached to the stem.

 

Hi, I planted some rosemary seeds in a small container last spring. They germinated very fast and within the year, I had a nice long stalk. About 5-6" tall. I transplanted it this spring and it doesn't seem to be growing at all. Rather, it looks dried out (not sure if its died or not). It gets full sun, I water it every morning as the soil is dry (I live Tucson). Please advise! Thank you D

Congratulations on growing rosemary from seed. It isn't easy to do! Sounds like maybe it didn't take well to the transplanting, however. Watering it everyday may be a problem, rosemary doesn't like wet feet. Dig into a the soil a few inches and see if it is dry beneath the surface as well.

 

I have a rosemary plant several years old in a huge wooden planter. It stays in bloom all year long. So much blooms that I can't really cook with it. I want the herb to cook with not for flowers. I live in the Pacific Northwest also it doesn't get a lot of water. It rains a lot here and I only water it in the warmest part of the summer (hi 60's) If I water it more will it quit blooming? HB

I haven't run across this problem before with rosemary. Sometimes blooming can indicate a plant is in distress. It might be a good idea to refresh the soil in the planter. Over the years the nutrients wash away. It wouldn't hurt to water more as long as there is proper drainage and you let it dry out. Plants in pots need more water than those in the ground.

 

I live in central Alabama and have two rosemary shrubs that grow lavishly but have never produced blooms. I have to trim them every year because they cover our walkway. What am I doing wrong? Thanks! MT

You may be trimming away those nice blooms. If you can, leave the plant alone for a year or more and see when, and if, it blooms. Rosemary is known to bloom at different times of year. Also, don't fertilize the plants as this encourages foliar growth rather than flowers.

 

Hello, My daughter lives in London and is trying to grow herbs in her apartment. She has basil which is doing fine and Rosemary which has developed leaf curl. I suggested she look for some type of critter under the leaves such as spider mites, aphids etc. but is there some type of virus/fungus that might cause this as well? What other conditions might cause this to happen? Thank you for any possible causes to this problem. CG

As always, it's tough to identify a problem without seeing the damage. You are probably on the right track with a critter infestation but rosemary is susceptible to overwatering problems as well. These would include root rot and crown rot. Make sure the plant has good drainage and good air circulation and let the top two or three inches of soil dry out between waterings.

 

I live in Memphis, TN and have a very large rosemary plant. The lower limbs are thick and it has spread all over my vegetable garden. Can I move this plant? Can I cut it in half and move the halves? MW

You can certainly move the plant but dividing it is not a good idea. Because rosemary grows from a single stem the operation would probably kill it.

 

I have 2 rosemary bushes (About 2 feet tall) that my previous neighbor planted about 18" apart. I know from lots of reading that this is entirely too close. I would like to move them. I know they do not take transplanting well so I want to do this right. I found lots of information on how to transplant my bushes but not a whole lot on when. I live in North Carolina and I would like to know when is the best time of the year to move them. Any help would be great. They are wonderful bushes. Clueless in Carolina

Spring and fall are generally the best times to transplant but to be sure you may wish to contact your local Master Gardener's extension office. Follow this link to a list of phone numbers by county in North Carolina.

 

I have a lot of Rosemary and want to make fresh wreaths—is it necessary to buy an Oasis for the wreath, or can I just make it with a wire wreath base? Also, what is the best way to make the wreath? RC

This is something I haven't done before so I wanted to point you to a good website for help. Unfortunately, there are so many different ideas that I think you should look around for yourself. Just try a Google search with the words "make a rosemary wreath." You'll be amazed at all the clever ideas.

 

I put in a rosemary bush this spring and it has loved our sandy soil. I am now worrying about whether it will survive the coming winter. Should I leave the plant outside or would it be better to put it in a pot inside our home and grow it that way? What would you recommend as potting soil if I do put it in a pot? DY

Rosemary can take temperatures to around 25 degrees (F). It doesn't like replanting so if you must do so, be gentle. An all-purpose potting soil should work, just make sure it has good drainage.

 

We live in the desert of Southern California and the property we live on has a number of Rosemary bushes. I'm not sure of their age, but they are approx. 3 1/2 feet tall by 4-6ft around. Most of them appear to be dying from the inside out and I don't know what to do. They do get regular water as they're on a system, so I know they're not neglected in that way. The new young volunteers that have sprouted around these older ones look very healthy. Should I cut them back? Is it a lost cause? I hate to see them go... we and the bees love them. DR

We have clay soil here in southern France and my thyme and lavender are both doing very well... however my 7 rosemary bushes which started out very well (planted from young plants before the thyme and lavender, but in same soil, over a year ago) have been going yellow to brown to dead branch by branch, plant by plant. I am at a loss....

Help? Please and thank you. CN

I'll answer these questions together since it sounds like drainage may be the problem in both cases. This in turn could lead to root rot. I encourage both of you to research the topic a bit more to see if you can make a positive identification of the problem. Meanwhile, back off on the watering a bit and go ahead and trim away any dead branches as this will help circulate the air around the plants better.

 

I bought a rosemary Christmas tree about a year and 4 months ago. I transplanted the plant to a larger pot and it grew for me for an entire year outside here in the hot, humid climate of Houston, Texas. It had made it through another winter and seemed to be doing fine. Now, suddenly the plant seems to be drying out from the inside out. All the needles on the inside are drying beginning with the inside. Now I can tell that what I thought was one plant is actually MANY plants, probably at least 4. I may have watered it too much as well recently as I freaked out when I saw the plant drying out. Also, the roots seem to be coming out of the bottom hole in the pot, so I think it is rootbound. Should I repot the mass of multiple plants? Or divide them and plant in new pots? Should I prune it back some? Any advice? I love this plant!!! JP

I think I would just repot the whole plant into a container that is just the next size larger. Once transplanted, give it a light dose of fertilizer and water regularly but not too much. Make sure it is getting plenty of sunshine and prune a bit as needed for cooking.

 

Hi. I am going to be moving and leaving behind a beautiful (and HUGE) rosemary bush. Is there anyway to cut part of it off to take with me to transplant somewhere in my new yard? Thanks! MW

It hurts to move and leave your babies, doesn't it. See the link in a similar question on the "Gardening Q&A Page" for help in taking part of your rosemary to your new home.

 

I have a rosemary bush that is about 3 1/2 feet tall and the bottom part looks dead and has dead needles...but it puts out new green growth on top...I am afraid the dying bottom will creep up to the top. If I cut it back I am afraid it will be all dead. Help! BHW

In general rosemary won't green back up once it has gone dry. You could try an experiment: Cut back a couple of the dead branches and see what happens.

 

I have purchased two rosemary plants and both started turning black and tiny "bugs" fly off which are grey in color.... what are they and what can I do to keep my plants healthy??? The first was destroyed so the 2nd did not get the "bugs" from the other. MF

It's hard to say what sort of bugs you might have. The plant's appearance and the bugs may not actually be related. If you are planting outdoors (or even in a pot) you could have trouble with your soil.

 

Dear Sir, When I went to my garden center to my surprise I found 8 different kinds of rosemary. Can you tell me the best type for cooking (the one I bought does not have a good flavor of rosemary). Thank you, RLP

Out of curiosity I checked my Territorial Seed catalog and they, too, have six different types of rosemary but say they all are good for cooking. I'm not aware of a single type that is best for cooking. One thing to look for when buying herb plants is to make sure they are not labeled "ornamental." It is always a good idea to take a little taste of a plant before you buy (just be discreet and don't tell anyone I said to do it!).

 

Not really a question, but just a comment to say thanks to your Q&A Section I have probably saved my Rosemary plant. It developed a symptom you described as powdery mildew. Thanks to only two days of spraying with a drop or two of dish soap and a drop of vegetable oil in my mister of water, it seems to have completely "whacked" back all sign of the mildew. Many thanks as I love my Rosemary plant, where would my omlettes be without it! I guess one question as well, despite the fact that I think the soil it's in in its pot may not be the best--too sandy and too dense with perhaps with not enough drainage--it seems to be happy. Should I upset it and transplant it to soil with more drainage? Especially as it will have to come indoors soon I would think as fall and winter near? Best and thanks, enjoy your site tremendously....P in NJ

Thanks for your kind words. It always makes me happy to hear how folks are using the site. As for the soil, rosemary actually seems to thrive in poor conditions so it is probably better not to fiddle.

 

My rosemary, as well as some of the sage plants get globs of a liquid white foam on them. Tonight I washed hundreds of globs from the rosemary in particular. Last year, the other rosemary had the same problem. What is that? Thanks J

Sounds like spittle bugs to me. You are doing the right thing by washing them away as the nymphs are hatching in the foam.

 

Hi, my trailing rosemary has some type of bug that's pulling together the leaves and producing kind of a cobweb on them. Looks like it loves the new growth tips. I picked apart one and found something that looked like a dark centipede or millipede. I'm thinking maybe something laid eggs in there? Everywhere the leaves are pulled together turns brown and dies, and the plant's really starting to look sad. I don't want to spray chemicals, because I was planning to use it for cooking. What should I do? AB

Sounds like you might have a case of garden webworms. They form that web and then feed on the enclosed leaves, that's why they die. The best defense at this point in their life cycle is to pick them off the plant and drop them in soapy water.

 

Hi! I just purchased my first rosemary plant..it's just about 7 inches tall. When can I start using it for cooking, and also, when should I bring it inside (I live in Seattle, WA)? Thank you! TJP

You can start using it anytime just be careful not to take more than a quarter of each branch at any one time. You may not need to bring it indoors at all unless the temperatures fall below 25 degrees F. I live just north of you and my rosemary that is in the ground made it through last winter beautifully.

 

Hi, I just purchased a small rosemary plant, it's been about a month. How long can I keep it in the same pot or change to a larger pot. Converse, Texas Thank You.FH

If your rosemary is still in one of the smaller, 2 or 3 inch, pots that most plants are sold in, you will want to transplant it to something larger.

 

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs to grow, dry, and use for culinary purposes. Yet in many recipes, the needle-like leaves create an unpleasant texture in the finished dish. This year, after drying my rosemary, I pulverized the leaves in a food processor, creating a very fine consistency. I'm hoping that this powdered rosemary will produce better flavor and texture. However, after some research on the Web, I'm wondering whether the more concentrated, powdered version is safe for culinary use? CB

Interesting question but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I checked Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, a reliable source for dosage warnings, and came across a mention that when large quantities of the pure oil are used therapeutically it may irritate the stomach, intestines or kidneys. You are probably getting less of the essential oils than you would in eating the rosemary fresh since both drying and grinding diminish them.

 

Can rosemary be frozen for storage...... (fresh rosemary) or what is the best way of storing this amazing herb? Thank you, have a blessed week

You could freeze branches of rosemary or strip the needles, spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze them that way too. Once frozen, you can gather them into a bag for storage. The texture will probably change slightly turning a little mushy but the flavor will be good. Rosemary can be dried by hanging a bundle of stems (upside down) in a dry well-ventilated area.

 

Hi, My rosemary bush is huge! Its about 6 or 7 feet across, and separates out yard into two separate places, so I want to cut it way back, and possibly move it to the side of our yard by the fence. The problem is it is full of bees, and I am a little scared to get too close to it, let alone go hacking at it, any suggestions on getting rid of the bees so I can trim the bush, and also move it? Please advise! Thanks, M

Please don't hurt the bees, they are just doing their job.  It would be better to cut your rosemary back after it has finished blooming anyway. Although I have no experience with an herb plant of this size, the rule of thumb with most plants is not to cut more than one third of any plant at one time. As for moving the plant, I suggest you contact your local master gardeners San Diego Master Gardeners for information on the best time and way to do so.

 

I have a small rosemary plant that is about 6 inches tall. What is the best way to harvest this? Should I cut off whole pieces of the branches or just pick each individual leaf? What method would be the best way to maintain the plant's fullness and growth? If picking individual leaves, should I pick just the leaf, or pick it with the little stem that attaches it to the branch? Thanks!

You will want to snip sprigs from the branches of your rosemary. This means cutting into the stem just like you are cutting back a houseplant to encourage bushiness. The most important thing to your little plant right now is that you shouldn't harvest more than one third of the plant at a time. Once you have snipped off the sprigs you can strip the individual leaves, or needles, from the stem if it is tough or just chop the tender stems right along with the leaves.

 

Hi, I love all plants as well as herbs. I live in NYC, I purchased a rosemary plant in December. I have it in a window (facing west) it is now starting to die. The window also is above my radiator, could the dry heat be killing it or is there something else that has caused it to die. I love these plant/herbs, what's the best way to keep them in good shape. Thanks R

The dry heat from your radiator probably isn't good for the plant. You might try misting it every now and then. Mid-winter is a sort of dormant period for rosemary. Don't water it too much (but don't let it dry out completely either) and in about a month start it on a regular program of liquid fertilizer.

 

I have a recipe that calls for 1/4 cup chopped rosemary. How many bunches should I buy? Thanks

One bunch should be more than enough. To prepare it, grab each stem at the top with one hand and pull down using the fingers of your other hand to strip the "needles." Give it a rough chop on your cutting board and transfer it to a measuring cup.

 

Hi, I was wondering how much I can safely cut back my rosemary without killing it. It is about 7-8 feet tall and was growing wildly in our backyard when we bought our new house. It is really not bothering us, and we actually love the look and smell of it, but we want to make sure it continues to thrive. Is it okay to just leave it alone, or does it need to be trimmed, and if so how often? DP from Texas.

Most herbs thrive on being trimmed every now and then but your rosemary is beyond being an "herb plant." The biggest, most beautiful rosemary bush I ever saw was in the parking lot at one of the San Antonio missions and I don't think anyone was paying it a bit of garden attention. I say, do whatever you want with yours!

 

My wife insists that it is dangerous to add rosemary to anything unless it is in a bag. She says that rosemary is a choking hazard. I can see a choking if someone tried to eat a whole sprig but will the leaves cause a problem? CL

I am not aware of anyone ever choking on rosemary leaves but I find they are more palatable if given a rough chop before adding to a recipe.

 

Hello. I just bought a small rosemary plant last week. Today I noticed that there is white liquid "puss" coming out of the stem, just at the base of the needle growths. Any idea what the problem is and how I can solve it? Thanks EO

That sounds pretty unusual. Are you sure that it is a liquid rather than a growth? It might might be mealy bugs which are sort of cottony looking. I think I would take that plant back to where I bought it.

 

How does one go about cutting the plant Rosemary and drying it. I thought that as long as I grow it, why not dry it, so I can use it later on for cooking purposes. Thank-you. JB

You will want to follow the "rules" for trimming your rosemary: don't take more than one-third of the plant at any time and make your cuts just above a leaf joint. You can dry it just like any other herb. That is, by hanging tied bundles upside down in a cool dry place or stripping the leaves and arranging them on a screen for good air circulation also in a cool dry place. Just be sure to leave the branches or leaves until they are absolutely, completely dried before storage or they will mold.

 

I have a small rosemary bush in my front bed. Its so close to the walkway now and I am thinking of moving it. It is about three feet tall and about as wide. Is it ok to move it and if so, what is the best way. JI

You could transplant your rosemary bush in the same way you would any other perennial or bush. Dig a wide hole around the base of the plant working your shovel under the root ball as gently as possible to avoid breaking roots. Transfer the plant to its new location as quickly as possible to avoid letting the root ball dry out. Water it thoroughly and give it extra attention as it adjusts to its new location. This entire process is better done in cool weather.

 

I live in central Florida and am trying to grow a rosemary plant in a pot. The lower leaves on the plant are yellowing but the upper leaves seem fine. I've grown rosemary in New Jersey by keeping them potted indoors in the winter and moving them to the garden for the summer without problems. If you can tell me what causes yellowing leaves in rosemary I'd be appreciative. Thanks, KHL

Yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering in plants. You might also try giving your rosemary frequent feedings with a seaweed based fertilizer.

 

I have two rosemary plants. Both flowered the first year and have not flowered since. (one plant is 2 years old, the other 1 year). They are growing well, about two feet tall. I have never pruned them. How do I get them to flower again? A from Arizona

Personally, I have never had a rosemary plant that flowered but like I always say, I'm a much better cook than I am a gardener.  One thing I can think of, however, is that perhaps you are fertilizing too often? This will sometimes stimulate more foliage than floral growth. Rosemary needs very little fertilizing if it is grown in good soil.

 

I bought a small rosemary plant about 4 years ago and planted in a small bed along the house. It is gorgeous, about 3 feet tall and about 3 feet side. It is close to the edge of the walk way so I have thought about pruning it, but I don’t know if I should divide the plant using a shovel, or prune it back. Any help appreciated. RC

I've never heard of dividing rosemary so you would probably be better off just pruning it back. Don't take more than a third of the foliage off at any one time.

 

Is it OK to cut back my rosemary bush? How much? I live in Arkansas it thrives all year, but is leaning forward a bunch because it is so heavy. Is it ok to cut it back and how close to the ground. I am zone 7.

Lucky you, sounds like a nice bush! It is best not to harvest more than one-third of any plant at one time.

 

I got a small rosemary plant at Christmas and it was fine. Wasn't sure how to take care of it, but thought it should be more tolerant to dry versus wet soil. Unfortunately, the leaves began to turn black, then dried up and began to fall off. I watered it heavily, let it drain and it got worst, then died. What did I do wrong? I would like to grow one outside this spring in a pot. MG

The problem with your rosemary plant could very well be nothing in particular that you did. I suspect that sometimes plants just don't adapt well to the transition process from the well-cared-for-by-professionals at the nursery to the final destination in our gardens or homes. Add to that the care, or lack thereof, taken in the retail environment, some plants just aren't going to make it. Do try again this spring to grow one outside. Buy a plant from a reputable nursery and ask them about how to care for it. Read more about the problems other folks have come across, see other questions below. Rosemary is one of the most wonderful herbs to have in the garden--good luck with your next one.

 

What are the benefits of a pinch or two of Rosemary in the bath. Have very dry skin problem and was wondering if it might help that problem. Thank-you S.Z.

My copy of Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs actually has an entire entry called Bathing with Herbs that I hadn't really noticed before. Although it makes no mention of herbs specifically as a remedy for dry skin, they do list rosemary as an astringent herb so this may not be the best choice for you. As a moisturizing bath, they suggest a homemade bath oil made from three parts vegetable or nut oil and one part herbal oil (this can be purchased commercially). Another tip is not to add oils to the water until you have soaked for ten minutes and then not to soak for more than twenty minutes total.

 

I'd always heard that if you trim back rosemary, you shouldn't cut below the green growth, because, unlike a lot of other plants, rosemary won't put out new growth below the green leaves. However, early this Fall, I'd thought that my rosemary was dying, since it was losing all it's leaves. I drastically cut it back, in many cases, cutting all the green off the stems, in order to be able to dry and salvage as much herb as possible. About a week later when I went outside to pull up the rest of the plant and discard it, I could see new green growth popping out all over! I left it and started watering again, and it looks like it's getting really healthy.....although with all the earlier pruning, it's not such a pretty shape at this point. So, we'll see what happens! I'm used to losing rosemary in the summer, since we live in central Florida, and the herb does not like the hot humid conditions here. RB

Thanks for your success story! Just goes to show, never give up on a plant.

 

I have a rosemary plant, that seems to be thriving well. I have repotted it over the summer into a larger pot as it has grown so much that is has bark on the main stem! The problem is, over the last few weeks, the leaves on some of the stems are turning black. What causes this and how can I treat it? I’ve already lost one rosemary plant to this same thing 2 years ago. Thank you, JB

I suspect your problem is in the watering. Either not enough or too much. You might also check the plant for scale which will sometimes result in sooty mildew. Be sure to read through some other growing hints below.

 

I have a magnificent rosemary plant that is about 5 years old. Each summer, I bring it outdoors and each winter (zone 5), I bring it indoors in a sunny location. It has always done extremely well and has been admired by many. This summer, after it had been outdoors for a while, some of the branches started to die - the leaves turned black. I quickly trimmed those off and monitored the plant, but the process has continued. Since the plant had not been transplanted in a while, I put it into a larger pot (indeed, it was pot-bound), checking the soil and roots for any sign of pests or disease. Found nothing suspicious. Over the past 2 or 3 months, the dying process has progressed - very slowly. The plant is now back indoors for the winter but I'm afraid it will not make it. What can possibly be ailing it? Thanks for any help offered.

Rosemary is susceptible to root rot so it should be kept in well drained soil but you probably would have noticed that when you transplanted it. I do know that if it is allowed to dry out too much it simply won't recover. I have had this happen to individual branches of a plant. I'm afraid I can't be of much more help and I'm sorry if you lose your plant. You could try to propagate a few of the healthy branches to start new plants from this old favorite. Just take a few cuttings (but never trim more than a third of any plant at a time) and root them in soil.

 

How do I keep my rosemary alive thru Wisconsin winters? I used a plant protector this winter but my plant died. Can it be protected adequately outside or am I going to have bring it inside? I have a detached unheated garage which would allow some protection from extreme cold, would that be an option? Thanks, R

Rosemary cannot survive temperatures in the low 20's or below so you will need to bring it indoors next year. If you want to plant rosemary in the ground for this summer, you might consider planting it pot and all so that you can dig it back up.

 

NH - put the Rosemary outside in summer- its fine, when I bring it in the warm dry house, it gets very dry looking but gets powdery mildew. Seems like an oxymoron, I know. I'm currently trying pruning the effected areas and water, baking soda and a couple drops liquid soap in a spray. Any other hints? How often should I water inside. Its in a clay pot with a clay pot dish. I just added some small stones to hold the humidity since its on a radiantly heated floor.Can you search your q/a by key words?  PO

You are doing the right things with your plant by pruning and spraying (although one recipe I saw that sounded similar to yours also added a drop of vegetable oil). Air circulation can also contribute to this fungus problem so you might make sure it's not crowded by other plants and even try a little fan. Make sure it is getting plenty of sun and water when the soil feels dry. Rosemary doesn't like wet roots so be sure to empty the clay dish after each watering. Watch for a newly organized Q&A section coming soon that will make it easier to find the information you want.

 

I'm growing Rosemary for my science project. I was wondering how high a Rosemary could grow in a month and if I should just purchase a already started to grow plant. Any extra information would be really nice. Thank You very much.  KJ

I can't accurately tell you how much a rosemary plant would grow in a month although I would predict just a few inches.  You should start with a plant for sure because it is a difficult plant to grow from seed.  Be sure to see All About Rosemary for more information on this fragrant herb. Good luck with your project!

 

We live in Oklahoma and need to know how is the best way to store rosemary after you cut the plant down. Do we just let it dry out and then store it, so we could have it most of the winter, or just put in frig and keep it for a couple of weeks? Wanted it to last longer than that, but can't find any thing telling you how to do it. Couldn't leave it outside, it would freeze, correct? Thanks for your help, PL

Your rosemary plant should be able to weather cold temperatures as a hardy perennial (meaning it will produce year after year). Make sure it is completely dry before storing the needles in air-tight containers. It will keep for several weeks wrapped loosely in plastic and kept in one of your refrigerator drawers is possible.

 

What brand of soil should I use for my rosemary plant. LM Lake Forest, CA

Rosemary likes a well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Plant it in a sunny place that you want to keep it for awhile because it doesn't take well to transplanting. If you are going to plant it into a container, work a bit of sand into an all-purpose potting soil mix. Before planting in the ground, work the soil with sand and compost or other organic matter.

 

Hope u can help?? My rosemary plant has this white (looks) powdery stuff on it. Yet its only on the new shoots that grew in place of sprags I had pinched off earlier....I adopted this plant 4 years ago ( its almost 10 years old now) and have not seen this happen to it before. This white stuff is a little on the sticky side ... could this be a sap resin? or something to do with pollination? In the picture attached I circled to the new shoots and this white stuff is visible ...we have bad winters so it does come in during the cold months......and we just put it out about 4-5 weeks ago. Do you know what this whit stuff is???? (and its VERY strong in rosemary scent)

I suspect your plant has a problem with powdery mildew but am not positive. I suggest you snip off a sprig of the problem and take it to your local garden center as soon as possible for a positive diagnosis and treatment suggestion. Most pests and disease will strike the tender new growth first so that may explain why the problem is occurring where you have pinched.

 

Can you please tell me if I need to spray my fresh Rosemary wreath after I finish making it? Thank you, Helen

 An article I read from Park Seed recently didn't mention spraying herbal wreaths but did suggest drying them well. They also recommend hanging the fresh wreaths in a place where they won't get knocked around to avoid "shedding."

 

I'm growing Rosemary for my science project. I was wondering how high a Rosemary could grow in a month and if I should just purchase a already started to grow plant. Any extra information would be really nice. Thank You very much.  KJ

I can't accurately tell you how much a rosemary plant would grow in a month although I would predict just a few inches.  You should start with a plant for sure because it is a difficult plant to grow from seed.  Be sure to see All About Rosemary for more information on this fragrant herb. Good luck with your project!

 

 

 

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