How to grow rosemary
Hardy outdoors to roughly zone 7; farther north, grow it in a pot and bring it in.
Rotation and family
Rosemary belongs to the herbs (Lamiaceae / Apiaceae). Small footprint; many attract pollinators and predatory insects.
As a perennial it stays in one place, outside your rotation.
When to plant rosemary by zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow / plant out |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| 4 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 19 – Jun 9 |
| 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 7 – May 28 |
| 6 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| 7 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 15 – May 6 |
| 8 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 2 – Apr 23 |
| 9 | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Mar 1 – Mar 22 |
| 10 | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | Feb 8 – Mar 1 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Rosemary questions
When should I plant rosemary?
Plant rosemary outdoors 1 week after your last spring frost. Start seeds indoors about 10 weeks before your last frost.
How far apart should I plant rosemary?
About 24 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with rosemary?
Traditional companions include bush bean, cabbage, carrot, sage.
How long does rosemary take to grow?
Rosemary is a perennial. Hardy outdoors to roughly zone 7; farther north, grow it in a pot and bring it in.