Needs Some Love
Full Sunlight
Keep Soil Dry
Pet Safe
FULL SUNLIGHT
More sun = more flavor
In super intense sun or heat, rosemary can suffer from leaf burn or browning. Consider giving it a little afternoon shade on days with harsher sun.
6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY
In lower light conditions, rosemary can become leggy, pale, and lose its intense flavor.
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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KEEP SOIL DRY
Overwatering rosemary is the fast track to root rot and other issues. Make sure its pot has good drainage and to water deeply, but only when the soil is completely dry!
LOW HUMIDITY
Indoor humidity should be fine as long as it is not crowded with other plants. High humidity or still air can lead to fungal issues.
Rosemary is typically resilient, but if you want to be extra careful, place rosemary in a breezy spot or near a fan to keep conditions flowy and dry.
SOIL
ROSEMARY DIGS A DRY AND SANDY MIX
When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:
PUMICE
PUMICE
Looks like very tiny, gray and white pebbles. Helps prevent compact soil and improves airflow for the roots.
PERLITE or
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
COARSE SAND
Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
HARVESTING
ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS
You can start harvesting rosemary when it is about 8 inches tall and is well established with multiple stems.
Try to harvest every 1 to 2 weeks or as needed to prevent it from getting too woody and sparse. Light, consistent pruning also delays flowering and keeps its leaves flavorful.
IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT
Snip away the top few inches of the fresh, green tips. These are the more tender and aromatic leaves, and snipping here will encourage more growth.
LARGER HARVESTS
You can cut back into the woodier stem for a longer rosemary sprig. Avoid cutting too close to the base. Just keep in mind that cutting the woody parts will often prevent new growth.
Trimming off the soft, flexible tips is the key to longterm regrowth.
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOWING
A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot. Remember, rosemary prefers drier conditions.
Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
LEAF DROP
⊹ SOIL CHECK ⊹
Soggy: Likely overwatered or poor drainage. Ensure your pot has drainage holes. Allow soil to dry out a bit. Consider repotting in a larger pot and mixing in perlite or orchid bark for extra airflow.
Bone dry: Needs a drink. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom.
⊹ STRESS ⊹
Temperature changes or repotting can also cause “droopy leaf” stress. Keep its conditions stable and give it time to adjust!
SLOW GROWTH
A definite sign of not enough sunlight.
If you notice rosemary leaf growth has started to slow or if it starts looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.
BROWN TIPS
Likely a sign of underwatering or shock from sudden temperature change or repotting.
If rosemary has been left bone dry for too long, water deeply. Also, some afternoon shade may help in very hot weather conditions.
Feel free to snip off any brown tips for a cleaner and greener look.
POWDERY LEAVES
Likely a sign of a fungal problem due to high humidity or low airfow.
Remove affected leaves.
Try to keep rosemary dry and out of direct moisture. Only water at the base of the plant, ensuring its leaves do not get wet.
Provide better air circulation by not crowding it with other plants. Keep it in a cool, dry area.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Aphids
Spider Mites
Whiteflies
Mealybugs
