Rosemary Planting Guide

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Salvia rosmarinus · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 80–180 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Rosemary Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Rosemary?

Zone Compatibility for Rosemary Zones 7a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	Jun 24 – Nov 11
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	Jun 17 – Nov 4
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Oct 25
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	May 27 – Oct 14
Zone 9a	—	—	Feb 17	May 12 – Sep 29
Zone 9b	—	—	Feb 1	Apr 26 – Sep 13
Zone 10a	—	—	Jan 8	Apr 2 – Aug 20
Zone 10b	—	—	Jan 8	Apr 2 – Aug 20

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Rosemary is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Rosemary benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Rosemary

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 7a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

80–180 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Rosemary

Rosemary matures in just 80–180 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Rosemary

✅ Good Companions

Sage Thyme Lavender Carrots

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Rosemary

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

💧 Watering: Rosemary needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.

Saving Rosemary Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Rosemary by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Rosemary?

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) takes 80 to 180 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Rosemary grow in?

Rosemary can be grown in USDA zones 7a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Rosemary need?

Growing Rosemary requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.

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