When it comes to successfully growing rosemary indoors – a few simple secrets can make a big difference between having a thriving healthy plant – or one that struggles to even survive!
Rosemary truly is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow at home. Beyond its value as a tasty herb in the kitchen, it also happens to be a stunning houseplant. One that can add beauty, fragrance and function to any kitchen or living space.
But one thing is for sure, growing rosemary indoors is not without its challenges. However, armed with a few key tips and a little patience, it really is easy to grow fresh rosemary inside – and have its tasty foliage at your fingertips the whole year round!
The Simple Secrets To Successfully Growing Rosemary Indoors
Trying To Start Rosemary From Seed – Why Plants Are The Way To Go!
One of the reasons rosemary often gets a bad rap as a houseplant is because gardeners try to start it from seed. Plain and simple, rosemary can be one of the trickiest herbs to start and grow using seeds. And for a long list of reasons!
While other herbs like basil or parsley germinate quickly and reliably, rosemary seeds are slow to sprout. In fact, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for seeds to germinate, even under ideal conditions.
Germination rates for this delicious herb are also notoriously low. More often than not, only a fraction of the seeds will successfully sprout. But the issues with starting from seed doesn’t end there. Even if you get the seeds to sprout, they can be difficult to keep alive.
Rosemary seedlings are delicate and susceptible to a fungal condition that can cause young plants to collapse and die. If the perfect balance of moisture, warmth and air circulation is off at all during the seedling stage – it usually spells disaster.
How About Cuttings? The Secrets To Growing Rosemary Indoors
While starting rosemary from cuttings is a common alternative to seeds, it too comes with its own set of challenges. Rosemary cuttings are taken from the stems of an existing plant to root in water or soil. While the process may sound straightforward, it requires a lot of precision and patience.
The key to success lies in maintaining consistent humidity and warmth, which can be tricky indoors without a greenhouse or propagator. Without the proper conditions, rosemary cuttings often fail to root – or simply become weak and stunted.
So what is the biggest secret of all to growing rosemary indoors? It’s to skip the frustration and instead opt for an established plant or rooted cuttings. Affiliate Plant Link: 3 Tuscan Blue Rosemary, Live Plants, 2.5″ Nursery Cube Plants.
A young plant provides an immediate head start, giving you the opportunity to focus on care and growth rather than troubleshooting the rooting process! Purchasing a small rosemary plant from a garden center, nursery or online plant store is simply the most reliable and least frustrating way to start growing rosemary indoors.
How To Care For Rosemary Plants Indoors – The Secrets To Growing Rosemary Indoors
One of rosemary’s most appealing qualities is how long a single plant can thrive. As a perennial herb, rosemary can live a long time. Unlike annual herbs that need to be replanted each season, rosemary grows year-round, becoming even more robust as it matures.
With the right indoor environment, rosemary can thrive for a decade or more. Its woody stems and evergreen foliage will continue to develop over time, forming a small shrub-like plant. Older rosemary plants can even be pruned into decorative topiary shapes, adding an artsy feel to your indoors.
The real secret to keeping rosemary healthy indoors is to give it the same conditions as to where it originates from – the Mediterranean. Rosemary will thrive in bright, sunny locations, moderate humidity, and well-draining soil. And here is how to give your plants each of those to perfection!
Providing The Right Light – The Secrets To Growing Rosemary Indoors
Light is perhaps the most important factor in successfully growing rosemary indoors. In its natural environment, rosemary flourishes in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
When growing rosemary indoors, start by placing your rosemary plant in the sunniest location possible. The best location is usually a south-facing window.
If you simply don’t have enough light, you can supplement with an inexpensive grow light. Position the light 6 to 12 inches above the plant, keeping them on for at least 8 to 10 hours per day. Affiliate Link: LED Growing Lamp, 6500K 50W Full Spectrum Gooseneck Plant Lamp
Without adequate light, rosemary will become leggy, weak, and prone to disease. If you notice your plant stretching toward the light or losing its vibrant green color, it’s a sign that it needs more light. To help, simply change its location to a sunnier spot – or increase the time under grow lights.
Watering – The Secrets To Growing Rosemary Indoors
Watering is another big secret for successfully growing rosemary. Rosemary prefers to dry out slightly between waterings since its roots can rot in consistently moist soil. Always allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out completely before watering the plant again.
When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly and allow any excess water to drain out of the pot. Never leave the plant sitting in water. This can quickly lead to root rot. Rosemary is drought-tolerant and can survive short periods without water, but it’s far less forgiving of overwatering.
Humidity can also impact rosemary’s health indoors. If your home is particularly dry, especially during winter, consider placing a small tray of water near the plant or misting it occasionally to increase humidity.
Pruning & Harvesting Rosemary – The Secrets To Growing Rosemary Indoors
When harvesting rosemary for culinary use, it’s best to snip off young, tender stems rather than older woody ones. This will keep the plant looking fresh and encourage continued growth. You can harvest rosemary throughout the year, but avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at any single time to prevent stress.
Rosemary’s evergreen leaves retain their flavor and aroma even after drying. You can actually hang stems upside down in a dry, cool location to preserve them. Once dried, store the leaves in an airtight container for future use.
Regular harvesting and pruning of your plant will help rosemary maintain its bushy, compact shape. It also helps to encourage new growth. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim the plant as needed.
Here is to growing rosemary successfully indoors – and even more – to enjoying its great flavor for many years to come! For more houseplant tips, check out our article: How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Your Houseplants – For Free!
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.