Rosemary Planting Guide
May rosemary essentials
Some notes on rosemary care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.
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How to water rosemary
Water deeply but infrequently. rosemary prefers to dry out between waterings — soggy soil causes more problems than thirst.
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Where to put rosemary
rosemary wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant rosemary. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
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?
Rosemary Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Rosemary planting schedule for that location.
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
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
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
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Rosemary by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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.