Rosemary — Grow Guide — Holly's Homestead

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Sun

Full sun

Water

Low, drought-tolerant once established

Soil pH

6.0–7.5

Spacing

60cm–1m

Depth

as per pot

01Grows easily from cuttings

Once you have one rosemary bush, you have as many as you like — strike semi-hardwood cuttings in a pot of free-draining mix and they root readily.

02Planting

Method

Plant from a nursery pot, or strike cuttings from an established plant.

Soil

Free-draining — rosemary dislikes wet feet, especially in winter.

Timing

Plant in spring or autumn.

Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.

03Growing care

Water only occasionally once established — overwatering is the main risk.
Prune lightly after flowering to keep a bushy shape.
Avoid rich, heavily fed soil — lean conditions suit it best.
Harvest sprigs regularly; this encourages fresh growth.

04Problems

Root rot — from poor drainage or overwatering; let soil dry between waterings.
Woody, leggy growth — from lack of pruning; trim regularly.
Spider mite — fine webbing in hot, dry weather; hose foliage occasionally.
Powdery mildew — poor airflow; space plants well.

05Harvest & storage

Signs

Usable year-round once established.

Method

Snip sprigs as needed with scissors or secateurs.

Curing

Air-dry hanging in bunches for long-term storage.

Storage

Fresh in the fridge a couple of weeks; dried, airtight for a year or more.

Preserving

See Dehydrating (drying woody herbs for storage) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby

BrassicasBeansCarrot

Avoid nearby

Basil (different water needs)

Rotation note

Not applicable — long-lived shrub.

Rosemary is an easy perennial herb to grow, needing full sun with low, drought-tolerant once established watering.