The short answer

Quick Answer

Rosemary thrives in full sun on chalky, sandy, loamy soils (pH 6-7.5), well-drained soil. Reaches upright forms reach 1.2 to 1.5m. trailing forms spread 60cm high and 1m wide. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -10°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering in late spring, and lightly through summer as you harvest

How: Cut back by a third to shape. Avoid old bare wood

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Mediterranean coast

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Brought to Britain by the Romans. Monastery gardens grew it from the 9th century onwards

Folklore: Traditionally the herb of remembrance. A sprig was carried at weddings and funerals

Fun fact: Rosemary is one of the oldest recorded herbs in cultivation. Burnt branches were used in funeral rites in ancient Greece

Historical medicinal uses: Used historically to improve circulation and memory. Modern research has looked at rosmarinic acid for cognitive effects. Culinary use is safe in normal quantities

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Excellent early nectar source for bumblebees emerging from hibernation [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 9 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [3][4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Flowers early when little else is available[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 8 out of 10 Flowers in late winter and early spring, often February to May[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with sage, thyme and lavender. Deters cabbage white butterfly near vegetable beds

Pest control: Aromatic oils repel many insect pests. A spray made from steeped leaves is used against aphids

Common diseases and issues: Rosemary beetle, root rot in wet soils, botrytis in humid weather. See RHS rosemary beetle advice

Invasive note: Not invasive

CGM care note

Where rosemary has gone woody and bare in the middle, we usually replace rather than try to rejuvenate. Better to start fresh with a young plant and prune annually.

CGM guides mentioning Rosemary

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Rosemary and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Rosemary

How Rosemary fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Lavender, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Thyme, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Sage, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Salvia (Perennial Sage), shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Bay, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Oregano, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established

Avoid planting beside

  • Rhododendron, conflicting growing conditions
  • Camellia, opposite light needs, one will always struggle
  • Blueberry, conflicting growing conditions

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Rosemary.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Rosemary are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Rosemary. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis). Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Lamiaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Dmitruk M, Sulborska A, Konarska A, et al. (2019). Floral biology and insect visiting of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae). Acta Agrobotanica, 72(2), 1767.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Lamiaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: pollinators, pollinator_rank, seasonal_highlight, companion_planting.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 for Rosemary. The pollinator description above ("Excellent early nectar source for bumblebees emerging from hibernation") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Flowers early when little else is available") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "Flowers in late winter and early spring, often February to May"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 and the Pollinators description ("Excellent early nectar source for bumblebees emerging from hibernation"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Rosemary's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Flowers early when little else is available") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Rosemary. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Rosemary's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Lamiaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Rosemary. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Rosemary. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Rosemary. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Rosemary. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Rosemary. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Rosemary. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Rosemary. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Rosemary performs well locally

Towns where Rosemary is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

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