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Growing up, one of the most normal things in the world for me was for my mother to grab a pair of scissors, walk across the street, and snip off some rosemary from my neighbor’s bush for dinner. She would put it on all types of dishes from steaks to pastas, and I learned to cook from the best which means it is an ingredient I crave.
My neighbor’s rosemary bush was planted in the ground, but it was such a quintessential part of my childhood that when I was presented with the opportunity to have my own giant rosemary shrub, I just couldn’t say no. That opportunity arose in 2022 when the community garden in my apartment complex was demolished in favor of building even more apartments. I waited until the last moment, just in case anyone else wanted the shrub, but when I was reasonably confident that no one would be upset, I took a shovel to the garden under the cover of darkness and dug up a giant rosemary bush that would become my very own. The garden was bulldozed the next day.
I was still (and still am) renting at the time, so the giant rosemary bush had to be moved from the sandy soil it thrived in, to a container. This is how I’ve kept my rosemary bush happy and healthy since I saved it from the bulldozer.
How to Grow Rosemary in Containers:
- Sun: Rosemary thrives in full sun. Especially during the winter.
- Moisture: This plant prefers minimal moisture. It will obviously wilt and turn yellow when the soil gets too dry, but after a deep watering it will usually be set for at least a week.
- Soil: Rosemary prefers sandy, well-draining soil. My large shrub is in a homemade potting mix with lots of perlite and my smaller shrub is in a store-bough “moisture control” potting mix.
- Container Size: If you’re starting with a smaller plant, I recommend a 10-inch container. My large shrub is in a 24-inch container. DO NOT USE a self-watering container for rosemary. They stay too full of water for too long in the rainy season and the plant will get root rot.
- Planting/Propagating: This plant is most often propagated via cutting. You can use softwood or hardwood for the cuttings. You can also grow this plant via seed.
- Yearly Maintenance: This herb is very self sufficient and doesn’t need any annual maintenance.
- Winterizing: If you are in zones 7-10 you should not have to do anything to winterize this plant. Some folks have had success growing rosemary up to zone 5 by trimming the stems to the ground and covering the plant with deep mulch for the winter. If you live farther north you can also bring the plant inside during the winter.
- Pruning/Harvesting: The most common part of the plant to harvest are the leaves. Just take a pair of pruners and trim off a piece that still has a green stem. The stem will then split in two and give you a bushier shrub! The flowers can also be harvested and used in the same way as the leaves.
- Preserving: Rosemary can be hang dried or dried in a dehydrator.
- Pests & Diseases: The biggest threat to your rosemary is root rot. Make sure your container and soil are well draining to avoid this problem.
Using Rosemary
Rosemary can be used for so many things:
- Roasting Meat
- Flavoring Various Dishes
- Bread
- Infused Vinegars & Oils
- Savory Jams
- Cocktails
- Tea
- Skincare
- Hair care
- Aromatherapy
I have a few favorite ways to use rosemary. One of my favorite ways is for my hair care. I buy a fabulous shampoo bar from a local vendor and the bar contains rosemary to help with hair growth. I also like to infuse some dried rosemary in my apple cider vinegar hair rinse to use after I use my shampoo bar.
My favorite ways to use rosemary in the kitchen are as a flavoring for roasted potatoes, and, you probably already guessed it, for tea!
Rosemary makes a great tea because it is said to:
- aid in digestion
- enhance cognitive function
- reduce inflammation
- improve liver function
- be a mild antidepressant
I like to add a sprig of rosemary into my cup of black tea in the morning or to a sleepy time blend of lavender and ginger. As always, please do your own research before using any herbs in a medicinal manner.
Simple Rosemary Tea
Add 1 tsp of dried rosemary to a cup of boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.
Additional Resources:
Online Resources:
- University of Maryland Extension: Rosemary
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension: Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Easy Gardening Rosemary
- Rosemary Tea Consumption Alters Peripheral Anxiety and Depression Biomarkers: A Pilot Study in Limited Healthy Volunteers
Books I love:
I am an Amazon Associate and that is reflected in the below affiliate links. I will make a small commission if you purchase the below books with my affiliate link. That being said, please check your local or favorite indie book store for them! I’d much rather you support a small business than give me a kick-back.
