Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is native to the rocky hills around the Mediterranean and grows well in poor alkaline soil, tolerating any conditions except soggy lowlands. It is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 11. All varieties' leaves can be used as a culinary herb, although some have been bred for their ornamental value. Rosemary is difficult to grow from seed and is more often propagated from cuttings.
Care After Germination
As the rosemary plants begin to emerge, place them where they will get bright light. Continue to warm them from the bottom using a heating mat. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when they are 3 inches tall. If the weather is warm outside, they can be transplanted to the garden. Plant them in well draining or rocky soil, spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Keep the soil moist until they are established, and then reduce watering gradually.
Growing Rosemary From Cuttings
Rosemary can easily be grown from cuttings to get consistent plant quality and mature plants more quickly than seed production. Cut about 3 to 6 inches off a young shoot. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, dip it in rooting hormone and stick it in a pot of well-draining potting soil. Make a tent of clear plastic over the cutting, and keep it moist for about eight weeks. Tug lightly on the cutting to determine whether it has developed roots. When new growth begins, rosemary cuttings can be transplanted to larger pots or planted outside in warm seasons.
