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Holly's Homestead — Perennial Herb

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus · Mint family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Evergreen perennial shrub
MATURITY Usable from 3–4 months
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low, drought-tolerant once established
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Spacing
60cm–1m
Depth
as per pot

01Grows easily from cuttings

Once you have one rosemary bush, you have as many as you like — strike semi-hardwood cuttings in a pot of free-draining mix and they root readily.

02Planting

Method
Plant from a nursery pot, or strike cuttings from an established plant.
Soil
Free-draining — rosemary dislikes wet feet, especially in winter.
Timing
Plant in spring or autumn.

03Growing care

  • Water only occasionally once established — overwatering is the main risk.
  • Prune lightly after flowering to keep a bushy shape.
  • Avoid rich, heavily fed soil — lean conditions suit it best.
  • Harvest sprigs regularly; this encourages fresh growth.

04Problems

  • Root rot — from poor drainage or overwatering; let soil dry between waterings.
  • Woody, leggy growth — from lack of pruning; trim regularly.
  • Spider mite — fine webbing in hot, dry weather; hose foliage occasionally.
  • Powdery mildew — poor airflow; space plants well.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Usable year-round once established.
Method
Snip sprigs as needed with scissors or secateurs.
Curing
Air-dry hanging in bunches for long-term storage.
Storage
Fresh in the fridge a couple of weeks; dried, airtight for a year or more.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
BrassicasBeansCarrot
Avoid nearby
Basil (different water needs)
Rotation note
Not applicable — long-lived shrub.