Fact Sheet Rosemary Plant
Rosemary Plant | Rosemarinus officinalis
Overview of the Rosemary Plant
The Rosemary Plant, a member of the mint family is also known as the aromatic evergreen herb Rosmarinus officinalis. Native to the Mediterranean, this perennial plant can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and has needle-like leaves that are green on top and lighter underneath. Throughout history, Rosemary has been used in cooking, medicine and religion. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Rosemary could improve memory and during the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off evil spirits. Today, Rosemary is a popular herb for cooking, in personal products and as an essential oil. Rosemary is a hardy plant that is easy to care for making it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Growing Rosemary
Rosemary Plant overview
- Rosemary is a great indoor or outdoor plant choice that provides many health benefits, requires little maintenance and has an interesting history. It is hardy and drought tolerant.
Planting, cultivating or seeding
- To plant Rosemary, use a propagating soil mix or leave a cutting in a glass of water on a sunny sill. Once small roots appear, transfer the cutting to a small pot. When planting seeds, use a sandy propagating mix and keep soil moist and warm.
Position
- Rosemary prefers a warm, light position. For indoors, choose a position that is warm in summer and well lit with natural light during winter. If this is not possible, consider placing your Rosemary under grow lights in winter as it does not thrive in extremely cold conditions.
.Soil and fertilising
- Ensure your soil is well drained and slightly dry. If your soil is acidic, consider growing Rosemary in a pot and give it a monthly dose of an all-purpose plant food. Fertilise annually in Spring.
Watering and pruning
- Rosemary requires regular watering only in very dry conditions and should be tip-pruned if you are regularly harvesting from the plant. Avoid cutting into the bare woody branches as they may not reshoot. It responds well to pruning and shaping and can be used as a hedge or edging plant.
Rosemary Flowers
- Rosemary flowers usually appear in a shade of blue, but can also come in white and pink varieties. It generally blooms abundantly from late winter through to summer.
Health Benefits of the Rosemary Plant
Healthy Hair
Rosemary oil is known to support hair growth and lesson dandruff when used regularly on the scalp.
Anti-Ageing for Skin
Rosemary is a key ingredient in many skin care products as it contains antioxidants to help lesson premature signs of ageing.
Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary is known to help reduce stress, nervous tension, boost mental activity, reduce fatigue and encourage mental clarity when diffused as an essential oil.
Our Choice Rosemary Recipe
Interesting Facts
- Rosemary pairs well in cooking with other herbs such as thyme, oregano, and sage
- As the traditional herb of remembrance, Australians wear rosemary sprigs on Anzac Day as a mark of respect for all Australian lives lost in wars and conflicts
- When dried and stored in glass, Rosemary will retain its fragrance.
- Rosemary can be used as a natural insecticide and is a good natural alternative to other products that contain nasty chemicals
- Rosemary makes a great basis for a DIY Christmas wreath for your door.
- See Edible Gardens and Plant & Gardening Fact Sheets for more information about growing your own foods