Salvia rosmarinus
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Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary · Anthos · Garden rosemary · Moorwort · Common Rosemary

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun Toxicity: low
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
453
Observations
16,339

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Salvia rosmarinus, synonym Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and purple or sometimes white, pink, or blue flowers. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae.

💡 The name "rosemary" comes from the Latin words "ros marinus," which mean "dew of the sea." This plant is originally native to the Mediterranean region, where it thrives by the seaside. Its leaves, which sparkle in the dewy sea spray on sunny mornings, likely inspired its beautiful name. Rosemary is widely used in cooking and has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine.

🌳 Beyond its well-known flavoring qualities, rosemary finds uses across various industries. It appears in the essential oils market for aromatherapy and personal care products because of its pleasant scent and possible therapeutic effects. Rosemary extracts are employed as natural preservatives in the food industry, taking advantage of their antioxidant properties. Its wood, which is relatively sturdy, has been worked into furniture and decorative pieces. There is interest in using rosemary for bioremediation because it may indicate soil metal content.

🎭 Dedication, Intelligence, Faithfulness, Restorative Balm, Steadfastness, Welfare

Care Guide

💧 Water

Rosemary flourishes in a Mediterranean climate, where it prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. While it can tolerate dry spells, rosemary benefits from weekly watering to achieve optimal growth. As an evergreen plant, it requires consistent moisture to maintain its vibrant foliage, making it perfect for outdoor planting in areas with regular rainfall.

☀️ Light Full sun

Rosemary needs a large amount of light to grow vigorously. Native to a habitat with abundant sunlight, rosemary performs best in places that imitate those conditions. It can, however, tolerate areas with less consistent light. Adequate light promotes flowering and boosts fragrance, but too much or too little can result in weak growth or fewer blooms.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

In its native growth environment, rosemary does well in temperatures between 59 and 100.4 ℉ (15 to 38 ℃). These temperate woody plants prefer a temperature range of 55 to 100 ℉ (12.8 to 37.8 ℃) and can tolerate occasional frosts, but prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage them. During hotter months, provide supplemental irrigation and shade to ensure they don’t dry out. In cooler months, cover them with cloths at night to protect from frost.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity normal (40-60%)

This plant will thrive in moderate humidity, which is probably the level in your home. However, misting it a few times a week can be very beneficial. Make sure the room has good ventilation.

Humidity: normal (40-60%)
🪴 Soil 6-7
Ideal: Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilize your Rosemary in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Regular feeding improves its overall health, producing vigorous growth, increased tolerance of harsh conditions, and stronger resistance to pests and diseases. Stick to a set fertilizing routine for your Rosemary to maintain foliage that is richly colored and lush in appearance.

🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years

When repotting Rosemary, choose a pot 1-2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) larger with ample drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix. Repot in spring or fall, ensuring that the root ball is slightly lower than the rim of the flower pot. Water thoroughly after repotting and place it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.

Suggested frequency: 2-3 years
✂️ Pruning

Rosemary is an evergreen shrub known for its aromatic, needle-like leaves and blue flowers. To promote dense growth and enhance both the health and ornamental value of the plant, prune it in late spring after it has finished flowering. When pruning, trim back one-third of the new growth. Using the right timing and technique for pruning will benefit the plant significantly.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Salvia
Family
Lamiaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
0.61 m to 1.83 m
Mature Spread
0.61 m to 1.22 m
Leaf Color
Green, Gray
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Lavender
Flower Size
2.54 cm
Bloom Time
Early spring, Mid spring, Late summer, Fall, Winter
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Tags (12)

Common Names (5)

en Rosemary
en Anthos
en Garden rosemary
en Moorwort
en Common Rosemary