What hardiness zones is Rosmarinus officinalis suitable for?

Rosmarinus officinalis is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Rosmarinus officinalis?

Rosmarinus officinalis requires Full Sun.

How much water does Rosmarinus officinalis need?

Rosmarinus officinalis has Very Low water needs.

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary

Lamiaceae

Mediterranean region; rocky, dry coastal scrubland, garrigue, and hillsides from Spain to Turkey

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 m)

Width2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 m)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Rosmarinus officinalis (accepted name: Salvia rosmarinus) is a woody-based, evergreen perennial herb native to the Mediterranean, grown for its strongly aromatic foliage and culinary use. Plants reach 2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 m) tall and 2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 m) wide depending on cultivar; growth rate is moderate, 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year. The habit is upright to mounding in most cultivars; prostrate and trailing forms also exist. Leaves are needle-like, 0.5–1.5 inches (1.2–3.8 cm) long, dark green and glossy above, white-woolly beneath, with strongly aromatic resinous oil glands. Flowers are small, tubular, two-lipped, pale to mid blue-violet, 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) long, produced in clusters along the stem in January–May and again sporadically through summer and fall. In Pacific Northwest conditions, rosemary survives west-side winters reliably in zones 7–8 in well-drained, sheltered positions; hardier cultivars such as 'Arp' and 'Hill Hardy' extend the range to zone 6 with protection. Wet winter soils are the primary cause of plant loss in the Pacific Northwest.

Native Range

Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the Mediterranean region — rocky, dry, well-drained coastal scrubland, garrigue, and hillsides from Spain to Turkey. It is not native to the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, raised beds, dry sunny borders, rock gardens, and container plantings for culinary harvest and as a long-season flowering shrub for pollinators. Prostrate cultivars suit slopes, retaining walls, and container edges. Upright cultivars serve as low informal hedges in well-drained conditions. A 2-gallon (7.5 L) or larger container suits patio use.

How to Identify

Rosmarinus officinalis is identified by its woody-based, evergreen shrub habit; needle-like, dark green leaves 0.5–1.5 inches (1.2–3.8 cm) with white-woolly undersides and a strongly characteristic pine-camphor-resin scent when crushed; and pale to mid blue-violet tubular, two-lipped flowers 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) along the stems in winter–spring and intermittently thereafter. Distinguished from Lavandula by the needle-like (not flat) leaves and branched (not spike) flower arrangement.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

purple

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

WinterSpring

Pale to mid blue-violet tubular, two-lipped flowers, 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) long, are produced in clusters along the stems from January through May in the Pacific Northwest, often the earliest blooming culinary herb. Sporadic rebloom occurs through summer and fall. Bees visit the flowers regularly.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale to mid blue-violet

Foliage Description

dark green above, white-woolly beneath; needle-like, strongly aromatic

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained to dry, lean soil. Sharp drainage is essential — wet winter soils are the primary cause of plant failure in the Pacific Northwest; raised beds, slopes, and gritty amendments improve drainage. Avoid heavy clay soils. Water sparingly once established; overwatering promotes root rot. No fertilization required in lean soils; excessive nitrogen produces lush, poorly flavored growth. Harvest stems regularly to keep plants compact. In zone 6 and colder, apply mulch to the root zone in autumn and select hardier cultivars such as 'Arp' or 'Hill Hardy'.

Pruning

Shear lightly after the main spring flowering to remove spent flower stems and maintain compact form. Cut into green wood only — rosemary does not reliably regenerate from bare, old wood. Replace plants every 5–8 years as they become woody and open at the center.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic