Learn how to grow Rosemary! A gorgeous and Ancient aromatic Perennial herb that is perfect for growing in pots or in the ground. A delightfully beautiful plant that smells incredible! Here’s how I grow mine…
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Cultivated for over 5000 years! Rosemary is an ancient herb with a long history! Used for its symbolic, culinary and medicinal purposes, Rosemary has served mankind in one way or another for millenia!
How Rosemary Got Its Name!
Rosemary’s fancy genus name -‘Rosmarinus Officinalis’ is derived from the Latin name for “dew” (Ros) and (marinus) meaning ‘belonging to the sea’ in reference to the Mediterranean region Rosemary originated from- Rosemary is native to Portugal, and northwestern Spain.
A much sweeter story that offers a far more legendary twist is that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, sheltered next to a rosemary bush when she fled to Egypt. The story Goes that she threw her blue cape onto the bush and the white flowers… turned blue. Because of this, the herb was named the ‘Rose of Mary’
Symbolic Rosemary History
Rosemary was first used, dating back to the Ancient Romans and greeks in 500 B.C . In 3000 B.C sprigs of Rosemary were found in the Tombs of Egyptian Rulers, preserving there historic significance! In ancient Egyptian culture, Rosemary was not only placed in tombs to honour the dead, but also used in the embalming process and was traditionally included in bouquets for sacred funeral ceremonies.
Since ancient times it is believed that Rosemary had the ability to improve memory and was long regarded as an ancient symbol of fidelity and remembrance. Even today, in some cultures, Rosemary is still included in Funeral floral Arrangements to act as a symbol of loss and remembrance.
Because Rosemary also represents fidelity, or love… During the middle ages, brides would wear a sprig of rosemary in their headpieces as would their husbands to be, in the hopes it would be a good omen for their lives ahead.
A Cure For Baldness!
Yep! Back in the 13th Century those who were follically challenged could turn to Rosemary for help! A concoction would be brewed and rubbed on the head to stimulate hair growth! It was also said to help with Dandruff and scalp issues.
Nightmare and Evil Preventative
Rosemary was also said to keep the bad dreams away! Rosemary would be placed under the pillow to prevent the dreamer from experiencing night terrors! Sprigs of Rosemary would also be bundled and hung outside homes to repel evil and Witchcraft
Other Old Medicinal Uses for Rosemary
Throughout the centuries Rosemary has been used to treat ….
- Melancholy
- Gout
- Epilepsy
- The Plague
- Arthritis
How We Use Rosemary Today
Medicinal Benefits of Rosemary
Today we still use Rosemary for Medicinal purposes but our aspirations for it are not so lofty! We mostly use it for Sore Throats, Colds and even to freshen breath! Another little known fact is that Rosemary is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are helpful in boosting the immune system and improving blood circulation. Also wonderful for Scalp and Hair growth issues check out my Rosemary water Recipe
Rosemary Culinary Uses
We mostly use Rosemary as an aromatic herb for seasoning casseroles, stews, meats and breads. It also marries very well with potatoes…so good!
Take a look at these Rosemary Recipes…
Caramelised Onion Focaccia bread
How To Grow Rosemary From Seed or Cuttings
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The easiest way to start growing your own Rosemary is by buying a young Rosemary Plant, but you can also grow from seed and cuttings with a little patience…
*Rosemary can be grown from seed, however, germination can be slow and plants will take many years to grow large enough to harvest from. With that in mind, here is how you grow Rosemary from seed..
When To Sow Rosemary Seeds Indoors UK
Sow Rosemary Seeds – March To May
- In pots, modules or trays 1/4 inch deep in moist compost
- Cover with a propagator lid, cling wrap or polythene bag
- Place on a Sunny Windowsill and wait for germination-* Germination can take as little as 1-2 weeks or as long as to 2-3 months.
- Once large enough to handle, prick out and pot on into Individual pots
- Plant out the following spring once the risk of frost has passed *Be sure to harden off indoor raised seedlings first
What Does Hardening Off Mean?
Plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse environment, need to be acclimatised to cooler temperatures and increased air movement for about two to three weeks before they are planted outdoors permanently. This is a ‘toughening up’ practice to prepare the plants for their new environment.
How to Harden Off
Place your plants out for a couple of hours in a shady part of the garden. The next day, leave them out again for two hours, but this time allow the plants an hour of direct sunshine in the morning. Gradually continue to increase the length of time the plants are in direct sunshine over the course of roughly two weeks.
How To Grow Rosemary from a Cutting
You can Root Rosemary Cuttings in Water, Sand or Compost. See below for the process…
How To Root Rosemary Cuttings In Compost or Sand
When To Take Rosemary Cuttings? Mid May-June
- Select fresh new shoots from the mother plant, that are around 10-15 cm long.
- Remove most of the lower leaves so you have a clean and naked stem
- Use a sharp knife to cut off the base of the stem, ideally just below a leaf node
- Dip the stems in hormone rooting powder – this helps to speed up the rooting process
- Fill a pot with sand or compost, water and insert several rosemary cuttings around the edge of the pot
- Place on a sunny windowsill and cover with a polythene bag
- How long will it take for Rosemary to form Roots? After a few weeks (around 4-8 weeks) check for root development
- Once the Rosemary Cuttings have an established root system, tease each cutting apart and plant into individual pots
- Plant Out the following Spring *Be sure to harden off first
How To Root Rosemary Cuttings In Water
When To Take Rosemary Cuttings– Mid May-June
- Select fresh new shoots from the mother plant, that are around 10-15 cm long.
- Remove most of the lower leaves so you have a clean and naked stem
- Use a sharp knife to cut off the base of the stem, ideally just below a leaf node
- Place the cuttings in a small glass of water *make sure that the cup is small enough that the cuttings remain upright and only the stem is submerged in the water, not the upper leaves
- How long For Rosemary Cuttings to root in Water? Roots should form within 2-4 weeks
- Once roots have developed, plant each cutting into individual pots filled with moist compost
- Plant Out the following Spring * Be sure to harden off first
Where To Plant Rosemary
Rosemary likes a well drained Soil in a sunny sheltered spot
Rosemary Plant Care
Good Drainage is possibly the best thing you can offer your Rosemary Plant – While Rosemary is usually a robust plant, soggy roots and severe cold can cause problems, especially in winter so make sure the water can easily drain away
Here are a few natural materials you can use to aid drainage to potted Rosemary Plants. Simply place a couple of handfuls of these in the bottom of the pot…
- Chips of wood.
- Sticks.
- Leaves.
- Pine cones & acorns
- Pebbles
- Tree bark
- Broken Pots
How To Help With Drainage For Ground Grown Plants
Below are some ways to improve your garden’s drainage problems…
- Grow more plants in the area
- Grow in raised beds
- Manage surface water
- Mix bark chippings into the soil
How To Prune Your Rosemary Plants
To keep your Rosemary Plants looking their best and to encourage fresh new foliage, trim back lightly once a year after the flowers have faded. But try not to cut into old wood
When To Harvest Rosemary
The great thing about Rosemary is that its evergreen! Meaning you can harvest Rosemary all year long! However, the new soft growth in summer has the best flavour! The leaves can be used fresh or dried
Are Rosemary Flowers Edible?
Can you eat Rosemary flowers? Absolutely! In fact they are quite delicious! With a little bit of added sweetness that is absent in the leaves
Best Companion Plants For Rosemary
Bad Companion Plants For Rosemary
Growing A Herb Garden?
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