Rosemary Plant Care

I have a love/hate relationship with my dear rosemary. I believe I've gone through at least three or four rosemary plants because they just would not stay alive. Even though, I admit, I neglected one, I always understood rosemary to be able to handle neglect. In any case, there was a lot of trial and error in order for me to get to know her.

Rosemary is a staple item in the garden. Just about every culinary enthusiast has this beautiful plant in their possession and for good reasons (I’ve included my favorite, simple recipe at the end). For those that do not know, I am an herbalist; therefore my rosemary tends to serve multiple purposes. (Towards the end, I will also share one of my favorite rosemary-infused recipes for your hair.)

I know people who can grow rosemary with the snap of a finger. There are others who struggle a little. I fall under the latter group. Challenges arise often here in Zone 9b, so I have to be mindful of the weather, including the humidity and intense rainstorms we got often this time of year. Much of my time is spent watching plants and how they react to weather patterns. It's easy to overwater in a coastal climate, and that makes for a miserable rosemary, if not a dead one.

Here are 5 things I've learned to keep in mind when tending to my own rosemary plant. 

Give Rosemary Herbs Plenty of Sunlight

If you're growing your rosemary outdoors, be sure to place it where it will get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. It can tolerate some shade, but if you want those rosemary flowers to pop out, then this herb's light requirements should be met at minimum.

Don't Overwater Your Rosemary

Weekly watering is okay, and you could maybe get away with twice a week, depending on weather conditions and where you live in the world. Everyday watering is a no-no.

Rosemary is known as the “upside-down plant.“ This is because it loves the soil to be on the dry side, but prefers its greenery to be a little moist (it absorbs a lot of water through the leaves). Once you have an established rosemary plant, the need to water extends to about every 1.5 to 2 weeks if it is in the ground and once a week if it is in a container. Your goal is to keep your rosemary’s soil dry, but not bone dry. 

Plant Your Rosemary in the Ground

If you live in a warmer climate where temperatures do not typically get below 30 degrees, you can absolutely plant a rosemary straight into the ground and it will thrive. I mean, most plants prefer to be in the ground, right?

However, if you live in a colder climate, putting rosemary in containers is a better option. You'll need to bring it indoors for the winter, but if you were to uproot an established, grounded rosemary, you risk it not surviving the process.

Avoid Overfeeding Your Rosemary Plant

Top off the soil of rosemary with compost every 1 to 1.5 years. Rosemary does not need fertilizer. It mostly survives on its own, in the soil that you place it in. A boost of nutrients from compost is all it needs. 

Talk to Your Rosemary Plant!

Honestly, I tell people this all the time, for all plants. It might sound weird, but it is something I have come to accept and practice. Interesting note, there has actually been a study around the effects of sounds on plants. This topic alone is a post for another day, but just trust me… talk to your rosemary.  

My Favorite Ways to Use Rosemary Leaves in the Kitchen

I dry my own rosemary and fill a repurposed glass bottle with the green leaves. I always have some in the spice cabinet. Dried rosemary can be used for a million different things, but here is one of my favorite dishes. Now, it is simple, but when you have freshly dried rosemary available, it really elevates the dish!

Rosemary Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried rosemary 
• 2 tablespoons of butter or plant-based alternative

Instructions:

Preheat a skillet on medium-high. 

While you're waiting for the skillet to heat up, pat dry your chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper to your liking (both sides if you desire).

Lightly spray the skillet with a little olive oil. Drop each chicken breast into the skillet. Allow to cook on one side for 7 minutes. 

About 3.5 minutes in, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet and 1 tablespoon of rosemary.

With a spoon, scoop the melted butter mixture on top of the chicken breasts. Do this for the remaining 3.5 minutes. 

At the 7-minute mark, flip your chicken breasts over and add another tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of rosemary to the skillet. Continue scooping the melted butter over the chicken.

Remove chicken from the skillet and let it sit on a cutting board for a few minutes.

Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

Rosemary Herbal Recipe

Rosemary benefits include stimulating blood circulation; therefore, the scalp gets the proper blood flow needed to encourage follicle growth, so it is great for hair loss. The rose in the following recipe helps soothe the scalp and softens the hair. It is super easy to make your own rosemary hair rinse following these steps. 

Rosemary and Rose Hair Rinse  

I love making this simple hair rinse. It is refreshing and smells so good! 

You Will Need: 

• saucepan or pot with a lid
• 16 oz. glass jar with a lid
• 2 ¼ cups of fresh or 1 cup of dried rosemary 
• ¾ cup of rose petals, dried or fresh

Instructions: 

Fill your saucepan or pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil. 

Turn the burner off and add the rosemary and rose to the water. Give it a stir and cover it with a lid. 

Let it sit for 20 minutes minimum, but it can sit for as long as you would like it to. 

Remove the lid. Be mindful of the condensation forming on the underside of the lid. You want that condensation to drip back into the pot because that’s concentrated essence—that is the good stuff! 

Strain your plants out of the water and add the liquid to a glass jar. Secure the lid in place. The rinse will keep for a couple of weeks at room temperature (you can keep it in the refrigerator if you want it to last a little longer). Hopefully, you will actually use it so you will not have to worry about when it goes bad. 

After you wash your hair, take about a cup of the rinse and pour it over your scalp. Do not rinse it out. It is meant to stay in your hair. I cannot explain enough how wonderful my hair smells when I use this. 

Ready to Grow Your Own Rosemary Bush?

I enjoy having rosemary in my herbal arsenal. It may have taken me several attempts to finally learn how to take care of her, but I would not have it any other way. Proper soil, adequate light, the right amount of water, and love are the only requirements to make a rosemary happy.

That being said, I hope my story encourages you to keep learning about your plants. If your rosemary dies, brush yourself off, acquire a new one, and try again. I promise the reward far exceeds throwing in the towel. 

Tish Douzart of Charmed Gardens

Garden consultant Tish's speciality is in medicinal and culinary herbs. She believes that plant medicine helps us reconnect with nature and founded Charmed Gardens to spread her knowledge to gardeners in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In addition to herb gardening, she also likes to create meditation gardens and other cozy personal spaces that make the heart and soul flourish.

Follow Charmed Gardens on Facebook and Instagram. If you're local to NOLA and a tea enthusiast, you won't want to miss her tea mediations.

(Thanks to Tish for providing the photos used in this article.)

Read more from Tish

Read Tish's article on creative ways to use cattle troughs in your kitchen garden.