I need advice on growing rosemary. Help, please?

Question

I started from seed.  I germinated ten plants in my greenhouse.  I've moved them from their seed tray to six packs until they were large enough to go into a pot and out of the greenhouse.  I've got 3 pots, two on the covered front porch and one in the window sill both of which get the morning sun.  I used miracle grow soil and they still don't seem to be getting any larger.  My Chervil, Parsley, marjoramand dill are all doing well.  the rosemary, cilantro & chives  seem to be lagging.  Point me in the right direction?

mw · Accepted Answer

Rosemary likes a "mediterranean" climate, which means hot, dry and little fertilizer.  If you live where it stays mild all winter, plant them in the ground in a sunny location. They need sun, at least half a day's worth.

If you live where winters are below freezing, they won't do well, might not make it at all.

If you want your plants in pots, put them in at least a one gallon size pot, and use a potting mix that does NOT have any water retaining stuff in it. Rosemary needs dryish soil, not wet, soggy stuff.

It's better to have a soil mix that drains fast and dries out. YOu can always water more often, and not worry about over watering.  Only fertilize once a year, if at all. 

I have grown rosemary for years and it does wonderfully, outside in my climate. In summer, it gets 100 F. all summer long, and I only water the plants once every 3 weeks, and I never, ever fertilize them.  

I have friends who live where the winters are below freezing, and they have to buy little plants every year, as what they do grow, dies, even when they bring the pots into the house each winter.

My rosemary handles temps down into the teens in winter. I have no clue what variety it is. I do know some rosemary's are more cold tolerant than others.

As for your chives and cilantro. Those both like soil that is moist.  IF you can get those into the ground, the sooner the better. Cilantro likes warm spring weather, but not the heat of a hot summer.  Chives will do fine all year except when it is below freezing.


Hope this helps.

Texas Cowboy · Answer

I love rosemary. Especially on fish and keep a number of plants around at all times. I have tried a variety of growing conditions just like you. They all grow very slowly and are completely different from the other plants you mentioned. Sorry for the bad news but please don't shoot the messenger!! LOL

You will enjoy this website. Notice how they advise not to grow it from seed because it will negatively effect the growth rate!!!

http://www.nothyme.com/herbs/rosemary.cfm

Anonymous · Answer

I think Rosemary needs quite a dry gritty/sandy soil, and likes to be dryish, so watch how often you water it.  It is also quite a slow growing perennial so will probably grow much slower than the other annual herbs you are growing.

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I need advice on growing rosemary. Help, please?

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