Hello, My daughter lives in London and is trying to grow herbs in her apartment. She has basil which is doing fine and Rosemary which has developed leaf curl. I suggested she look for some type of critter under the leaves such as spider mites, aphids etc. but is there some type of virus/fungus that might cause this as well? What other conditions might cause this to happen? Thank you for any possible causes to this problem. CG

As always, it's tough to identify a problem without seeing the damage. You are probably on the right track with a critter infestation but rosemary is susceptible to overwatering problems as well. These would include root rot and crown rot. Make sure the plant has good drainage and good air circulation and let the top two or three inches of soil dry out between waterings.

I live in Memphis, TN and have a very large rosemary plant. The lower limbs are thick and it has spread all over my vegetable garden. Can I move this plant? Can I cut it in half and move the halves? MW

You can certainly move the plant but dividing it is not a good idea. Because rosemary grows from a single stem the operation would probably kill it.

I have 2 rosemary bushes (About 2 feet tall) that my previous neighbor planted about 18" apart. I know from lots of reading that this is entirely too close. I would like to move them. I know they do not take transplanting well so I want to do this right. I found lots of information on how to transplant my bushes but not a whole lot on when. I live in North Carolina and I would like to know when is the best time of the year to move them. Any help would be great. They are wonderful bushes. Clueless in Carolina

Spring and fall are generally the best times to transplant but to be sure you may wish to contact your local Master Gardener's extension office. Follow this link to a list of phone numbers by county in North Carolina.

I have a lot of Rosemary and want to make fresh wreaths—is it necessary to buy an Oasis for the wreath, or can I just make it with a wire wreath base? Also, what is the best way to make the wreath? RC This is something I haven't done before so I wanted to point you to a good website for help. Unfortunately, there are so many different ideas that I think you should look around for yourself. Just try a Google search with the words "make a rosemary wreath." You'll be amazed at all the clever ideas.

I put in a rosemary bush this spring and it has loved our sandy soil. I am now worrying about whether it will survive the coming winter. Should I leave the plant outside or would it be better to put it in a pot inside our home and grow it that way? What would you recommend as potting soil if I do put it in a pot? DY

Rosemary can take temperatures to around 25 degrees (F). It doesn't like replanting so if you must do so, be gentle. An all-purpose potting soil should work, just make sure it has good drainage. See the entry titled "Gardener's Hint: Rosemary Basics" on the More Tips and Hints Page for more information on growing it indoors.

We live in the desert of Southern California and the property we live on has a number of Rosemary bushes. I'm not sure of their age, but they are approx. 3 1/2 feet tall by 4-6ft around. Most of them appear to be dying from the inside out and I don't know what to do. They do get regular water as they're on a system, so I know they're not neglected in that way. The new young volunteers that have sprouted around these older ones look very healthy. Should I cut them back? Is it a lost cause? I hate to see them go... we and the bees love them. DR

We have clay soil here in southern France and my thyme and lavender are both doing very well... however my 7 rosemary bushes which started out very well (planted from young plants before the thyme and lavender, but in same soil, over a year ago) have been going yellow to brown to dead branch by branch, plant by plant. I am at a loss.... Help? Please and thank you. CN

I'll answer these questions together since it sounds like drainage may be the problem in both cases. This in turn could lead to root rot. I encourage both of you to research the topic a bit more to see if you can make a positive identification of the problem. Meanwhile, back off on the watering a bit and go ahead and trim away any dead branches as this will help circulate the air around the plants better.

I bought a rosemary Christmas tree about a year and 4 months ago. I transplanted the plant to a larger pot and it grew for me for an entire year outside here in the hot, humid climate of Houston, Texas. It had made it through another winter and seemed to be doing fine. Now, suddenly the plant seems to be drying out from the inside out. All the needles on the inside are drying beginning with the inside. Now I can tell that what I thought was one plant is actually MANY plants, probably at least 4. I may have watered it too much as well recently as I freaked out when I saw the plant drying out. Also, the roots seem to be coming out of the bottom hole in the pot, so I think it is rootbound. Should I repot the mass of multiple plants? Or divide them and plant in new pots? Should I prune it back some? Any advice? I love this plant!!! JP

I think I would just repot the whole plant into a container that is just the next size larger. Once transplanted, give it a light dose of fertilizer and water regularly but not too much. Make sure it is getting plenty of sunshine and prune a bit as needed for cooking.

Hi. I am going to be moving and leaving behind a beautiful (and HUGE) rosemary bush. Is there anyway to cut part of it off to take with me to transplant somewhere in my new yard? Thanks! MW

It hurts to move and leave your babies, doesn't it. See the link in a similar question on the "Gardening Q&A Page" for help in taking part of your rosemary to your new home.

I have a rosemary bush that is about 3 1/2 feet tall and the bottom part looks dead and has dead needles...but it puts out new green growth on top...I am afraid the dying bottom will creep up to the top. If I cut it back I am afraid it will be all dead. Help! BHW

In general rosemary won't green back up once it has gone dry. You could try an experiment: Cut back a couple of the dead branches and see what happens.

I have purchased two rosemary plants and both started turning black and tiny "bugs" fly off which are grey in color.... what are they and what can I do to keep my plants healthy??? The first was destroyed so the 2nd did not get the "bugs" from the other. MF

It's hard to say what sort of bugs you might have. The plant's appearance and the bugs may not actually be related. If you are planting outdoors (or even in a pot) you could have trouble with your soil. Find lots of information about growing rosemary at our "Rosemary Q&A Page."

Dear Sir, When I went to my garden center to my surprise I found 8 different kinds of rosemary. Can you tell me the best type for cooking (the one I bought does not have a good flavor of rosemary). Thank you, RLP

Out of curiosity I checked my Territorial Seed catalog and they, too, have six different types of rosemary but say they all are good for cooking. I'm not aware of a single type that is best for cooking. One thing to look for when buying herb plants is to make sure they are not labeled "ornamental." It is always a good idea to take a little taste of a plant before you buy (just be discreet and don't tell anyone I said to do it!).

Not really a question, but just a comment to say thanks to your Q&A Section I have probably saved my Rosemary plant. It developed a symptom you described as powdery mildew. Thanks to only two days of spraying with a drop or two of dish soap and a drop of vegetable oil in my mister of water, it seems to have completely "whacked" back all sign of the mildew. Many thanks as I love my Rosemary plant, where would my omlettes be without it! I guess one question as well, despite the fact that I think the soil it's in in its pot may not be the best--too sandy and too dense with perhaps with not enough drainage--it seems to be happy. Should I upset it and transplant it to soil with more drainage? Especially as it will have to come indoors soon I would think as fall and winter near? Best and thanks, enjoy your site tremendously....P in NJ

Thanks for your kind words. It always makes me happy to hear how folks are using the site. As for the soil, rosemary actually seems to thrive in poor conditions so it is probably better not to fiddle.

My rosemary, as well as some of the sage plants get globs of a liquid white foam on them. Tonight I washed hundreds of globs from the rosemary in particular. Last year, the other rosemary had the same problem. What is that? Thanks J

Sounds like spittle bugs to me. You are doing the right thing by washing them away as the nymphs are hatching in the foam.

Hi, my trailing rosemary has some type of bug that's pulling together the leaves and producing kind of a cobweb on them. Looks like it loves the new growth tips. I picked apart one and found something that looked like a dark centipede or millipede. I'm thinking maybe something laid eggs in there? Everywhere the leaves are pulled together turns brown and dies, and the plant's really starting to look sad. I don't want to spray chemicals, because I was planning to use it for cooking. What should I do? AB

Sounds like you might have a case of garden webworms. They form that web and then feed on the enclosed leaves, that's why they die. The best defense at this point in their life cycle is to pick them off the plant and drop them in soapy water.

Hi! I just purchased my first rosemary plant..it's just about 7 inches tall. When can I start using it for cooking, and also, when should I bring it inside (I live in Seattle, WA)? Thank you! TJP

You can start using it anytime just be careful not to take more than a quarter of each branch at any one time. You may not need to bring it indoors at all unless the temperatures fall below 25 degrees F. I live just north of you and my rosemary that is in the ground made it through last winter beautifully.

Hi, I just purchased a small rosemary plant, it's been about a month. How long can I keep it in the same pot or change to a larger pot. Converse, Texas Thank You.FH

If your rosemary is still in one of the smaller, 2 or 3 inch, pots that most plants are sold in, you will want to transplant it to something larger.

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs to grow, dry, and use for culinary purposes. Yet in many recipes, the needle-like leaves create an unpleasant texture in the finished dish. This year, after drying my rosemary, I pulverized the leaves in a food processor, creating a very fine consistency. I'm hoping that this powdered rosemary will produce better flavor and texture. However, after some research on the Web, I'm wondering whether the more concentrated, powdered version is safe for culinary use? CB

Interesting question but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I checked Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, a reliable source for dosage warnings, and came across a mention that when large quantities of the pure oil are used therapeutically it may irritate the stomach, intestines or kidneys. You are probably getting less of the essential oils than you would in eating the rosemary fresh since both drying and grinding diminish them.

Can rosemary be frozen for storage...... (fresh rosemary) or what is the best way of storing this amazing herb? Thank you, have a blessed week

You could freeze branches of rosemary or strip the needles, spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze them that way too. Once frozen, you can gather them into a bag for storage. The texture will probably change slightly turning a little mushy but the flavor will be good. Rosemary can be dried by hanging a bundle of stems (upside down) in a dry well-ventilated area.

Hi, My rosemary bush is huge! Its about 6 or 7 feet across, and separates out yard into two separate places, so I want to cut it way back, and possibly move it to the side of our yard by the fence. The problem is it is full of bees, and I am a little scared to get too close to it, let alone go hacking at it, any suggestions on getting rid of the bees so I can trim the bush, and also move it? Please advise! Thanks, M

Please don't hurt the bees, they are just doing their job. Please see the article "What's the Buzz about Bees?" It would be better to cut your rosemary back after it has finished blooming anyway. Although I have no experience with an herb plant of this size, the rule of thumb with most plants is not to cut more than one third of any plant at one time. As for moving the plant, I suggest you contact your local master gardeners San Diego Master Gardeners for information on the best time and way to do so.

I have a small rosemary plant that is about 6 inches tall. What is the best way to harvest this? Should I cut off whole pieces of the branches or just pick each individual leaf? What method would be the best way to maintain the plant's fullness and growth? If picking individual leaves, should I pick just the leaf, or pick it with the little stem that attaches it to the branch? Thanks!

You will want to snip sprigs from the branches of your rosemary. This means cutting into the stem just like you are cutting back a houseplant to encourage bushiness. The most important thing to your little plant right now is that you shouldn't harvest more than one third of the plant at a time. Once you have snipped off the sprigs you can strip the individual leaves, or needles, from the stem if it is tough or just chop the tender stems right along with the leaves.

Hi, I love all plants as well as herbs. I live in NYC, I purchased a rosemary plant in December. I have it in a window (facing west) it is now starting to die. The window also is above my radiator, could the dry heat be killing it or is there something else that has caused it to die. I love these plant/herbs, what's the best way to keep them in good shape. Thanks R

The dry heat from your radiator probably isn't good for the plant. You might try misting it every now and then. Mid-winter is a sort of dormant period for rosemary. Don't water it too much (but don't let it dry out completely either) and in about a month start it on a regular program of liquid fertilizer.

I have a recipe that calls for 1/4 cup chopped rosemary. How many bunches should I buy? Thanks

One bunch should be more than enough. To prepare it, grab each stem at the top with one hand and pull down using the fingers of your other hand to strip the "needles." Give it a rough chop on your cutting board and transfer it to a measuring cup.

Hi, I was wondering how much I can safely cut back my rosemary without killing it. It is about 7-8 feet tall and was growing wildly in our backyard when we bought our new house. It is really not bothering us, and we actually love the look and smell of it, but we want to make sure it continues to thrive. Is it okay to just leave it alone, or does it need to be trimmed, and if so how often? DP from Texas.

Most herbs thrive on being trimmed every now and then but your rosemary is beyond being an "herb plant." The biggest, most beautiful rosemary bush I ever saw was in the parking lot at one of the San Antonio missions and I don't think anyone was paying it a bit of garden attention. I say, do whatever you want with yours!

My wife insists that it is dangerous to add rosemary to anything unless it is in a bag. She says that rosemary is a choking hazard. I can see a choking if someone tried to eat a whole sprig but will the leaves cause a problem? CL

I am not aware of anyone ever choking on rosemary leaves but I find they are more palatable if given a rough chop before adding to a recipe.

Hello. I just bought a small rosemary plant last week. Today I noticed that there is white liquid "puss" coming out of the stem, just at the base of the needle growths. Any idea what the problem is and how I can solve it? Thanks EO

That sounds pretty unusual. Are you sure that it is a liquid rather than a growth? It might might be mealy bugs which are sort of cottony looking. I think I would take that plant back to where I bought it.

How does one go about cutting the plant Rosemary and drying it. I thought that as long as I grow it, why not dry it, so I can use it later on for cooking purposes. Thank-you. JB

You will want to follow the "rules" for trimming your rosemary: don't take more than one-third of the plant at any time and make your cuts just above a leaf joint. You can dry it just like any other herb. That is, by hanging tied bundles upside down in a cool dry place or stripping the leaves and arranging them on a screen for good air circulation also in a cool dry place. Just be sure to leave the branches or leaves until they are absolutely, completely dried before storage or they will mold.

I have a small rosemary bush in my front bed. Its so close to the walkway now and I am thinking of moving it. It is about three feet tall and about as wide. Is it ok to move it and if so, what is the best way. JI

You could transplant your rosemary bush in the same way you would any other perennial or bush. Dig a wide hole around the base of the plant working your shovel under the root ball as gently as possible to avoid breaking roots. Transfer the plant to its new location as quickly as possible to avoid letting the root ball dry out. Water it thoroughly and give it extra attention as it adjusts to its new location. This entire process is better done in cool weather.

I live in central Florida and am trying to grow a rosemary plant in a pot. The lower leaves on the plant are yellowing but the upper leaves seem fine. I've grown rosemary in New Jersey by keeping them potted indoors in the winter and moving them to the garden for the summer without problems. If you can tell me what causes yellowing leaves in rosemary I'd be appreciative. Thanks, KHL

Yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering in plants. You might also try giving your rosemary frequent feedings with a seaweed based fertilizer.

I have two rosemary plants. Both flowered the first year and have not flowered since. (one plant is 2 years old, the other 1 year). They are growing well, about two feet tall. I have never pruned them. How do I get them to flower again? A from Arizona

Personally, I have never had a rosemary plant that flowered but like I always say, I'm a much better cook than I am a gardener.  One thing I can think of, however, is that perhaps you are fertilizing too often? This will sometimes stimulate more foliage than floral growth. Rosemary needs very little fertilizing if it is grown in good soil.

I bought a small rosemary plant about 4 years ago and planted in a small bed along the house. It is gorgeous, about 3 feet tall and about 3 feet side. It is close to the edge of the walk way so I have thought about pruning it, but I don’t know if I should divide the plant using a shovel, or prune it back. Any help appreciated. RC

I've never heard of dividing rosemary so you would probably be better off just pruning it back. Don't take more than a third of the foliage off at any one time.

Is it OK to cut back my rosemary bush? How much? I live in Arkansas it thrives all year, but is leaning forward a bunch because it is so heavy. Is it ok to cut it back and how close to the ground. I am zone 7.

Lucky you, sounds like a nice bush! It is best not to harvest more than one-third of any plant at one time.

I got a small rosemary plant at Christmas and it was fine. Wasn't sure how to take care of it, but thought it should be more tolerant to dry versus wet soil. Unfortunately, the leaves began to turn black, then dried up and began to fall off. I watered it heavily, let it drain and it got worst, then died. What did I do wrong? I would like to grow one outside this spring in a pot. MG

The problem with your rosemary plant could very well be nothing in particular that you did. I suspect that sometimes plants just don't adapt well to the transition process from the well-cared-for-by-professionals at the nursery to the final destination in our gardens or homes. Add to that the care, or lack thereof, taken in the retail environment, some plants just aren't going to make it. Do try again this spring to grow one outside. Buy a plant from a reputable nursery and ask them about how to care for it. Read more about the problems other folks have come across at the "Rosemary Q&A Page." Rosemary is one of the most wonderful herbs to have in the garden--good luck with your next one.

Hi, I have a rosemary plant indoors by a window with plenty of light however it is not too sunny right now as I live in Michigan. I move it out of the window at nite to protect it from the cold air. The plant has been watered but the leaves are starting to dry and fall off. Up until about a week ago it looked healthy and had new growth. What should I do? Thanks! KM

We have covered many different scenarios for growing rosemary indoors on the Rosemary Q&A Page. I encourage you to read through those and maybe you will find the answer that fits your situation.

What are the benefits of a pinch or two of Rosemary in the bath. Have very dry skin problem and was wondering if it might help that problem. Thank-you S.Z.

My copy of Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs actually has an entire entry called Bathing with Herbs that I hadn't really noticed before. Although it makes no mention of herbs specifically as a remedy for dry skin, they do list rosemary as an astringent herb so this may not be the best choice for you. As a moisturizing bath, they suggest a homemade bath oil made from three parts vegetable or nut oil and one part herbal oil (this can be purchased commercially). Another tip is not to add oils to the water until you have soaked for ten minutes and then not to soak for more than twenty minutes total.

I'd always heard that if you trim back rosemary, you shouldn't cut below the green growth, because, unlike a lot of other plants, rosemary won't put out new growth below the green leaves. However, early this Fall, I'd thought that my rosemary was dying, since it was losing all it's leaves. I drastically cut it back, in many cases, cutting all the green off the stems, in order to be able to dry and salvage as much herb as possible. About a week later when I went outside to pull up the rest of the plant and discard it, I could see new green growth popping out all over! I left it and started watering again, and it looks like it's getting really healthy.....although with all the earlier pruning, it's not such a pretty shape at this point. So, we'll see what happens! I'm used to losing rosemary in the summer, since we live in central Florida, and the herb does not like the hot humid conditions here. RB

Thanks for your success story! Just goes to show, never give up on a plant.

I have a rosemary plant, that seems to be thriving well. I have repotted it over the summer into a larger pot as it has grown so much that is has bark on the main stem! The problem is, over the last few weeks, the leaves on some of the stems are turning black. What causes this and how can I treat it? I’ve already lost one rosemary plant to this same thing 2 years ago. Thank you, JB

I suspect your problem is in the watering. Either not enough or too much. You might also check the plant for scale which will sometimes result in sooty mildew. Be sure to read through some other growing hints at the "Rosemary Q&A Page."

I have a magnificent rosemary plant that is about 5 years old. Each summer, I bring it outdoors and each winter (zone 5), I bring it indoors in a sunny location. It has always done extremely well and has been admired by many. This summer, after it had been outdoors for a while, some of the branches started to die - the leaves turned black. I quickly trimmed those off and monitored the plant, but the process has continued. Since the plant had not been transplanted in a while, I put it into a larger pot (indeed, it was pot-bound), checking the soil and roots for any sign of pests or disease. Found nothing suspicious. Over the past 2 or 3 months, the dying process has progressed - very slowly. The plant is now back indoors for the winter but I'm afraid it will not make it. What can possibly be ailing it? Thanks for any help offered.

Rosemary is susceptible to root rot so it should be kept in well drained soil but you probably would have noticed that when you transplanted it. I do know that if it is allowed to dry out too much it simply won't recover. I have had this happen to individual branches of a plant. I'm afraid I can't be of much more help and I'm sorry if you lose your plant. You could try to propagate a few of the healthy branches to start new plants from this old favorite. Just take a few cuttings (but never trim more than a third of any plant at a time) and root them in soil.

How do I keep my rosemary alive thru Wisconsin winters? I used a plant protector this winter but my plant died. Can it be protected adequately outside or am I going to have bring it inside? I have a detached unheated garage which would allow some protection from extreme cold, would that be an option? Thanks, R

Rosemary cannot survive temperatures in the low 20's or below so you will need to bring it indoors next year. If you want to plant rosemary in the ground for this summer, you might consider planting it pot and all so that you can dig it back up.

NH - put the Rosemary outside in summer- its fine, when I bring it in the warm dry house, it gets very dry looking but gets powdery mildew. Seems like an oxymoron, I know. I'm currently trying pruning the effected areas and water, baking soda and a couple drops liquid soap in a spray. Any other hints? How often should I water inside. Its in a clay pot with a clay pot dish. I just added some small stones to hold the humidity since its on a radiantly heated floor.Can you search your q/a by key words?  PO

You are doing the right things with your plant by pruning and spraying (although one recipe I saw that sounded similar to yours also added a drop of vegetable oil). Air circulation can also contribute to this fungus problem so you might make sure it's not crowded by other plants and even try a little fan. Make sure it is getting plenty of sun and water when the soil feels dry. Rosemary doesn't like wet roots so be sure to empty the clay dish after each watering. Watch for a newly organized Q&A section coming soon that will make it easier to find the information you want.

I'm growing Rosemary for my science project. I was wondering how high a Rosemary could grow in a month and if I should just purchase a already started to grow plant. Any extra information would be really nice. Thank You very much.  KJ

I can't accurately tell you how much a rosemary plant would grow in a month although I would predict just a few inches.  You should start with a plant for sure because it is a difficult plant to grow from seed.  Be sure to see All About Rosemary for more information on this fragrant herb. Good luck with your project!

We live in Oklahoma and need to know how is the best way to store rosemary after you cut the plant down. Do we just let it dry out and then store it, so we could have it most of the winter, or just put in frig and keep it for a couple of weeks? Wanted it to last longer than that, but can't find any thing telling you how to do it. Couldn't leave it outside, it would freeze, correct? Thanks for your help, PL

Your rosemary plant should be able to weather cold temperatures as a hardy perennial (meaning it will produce year after year). Make sure it is completely dry before storing the needles in air-tight containers. It will keep for several weeks wrapped loosely in plastic and kept in one of your refrigerator drawers is possible.

What brand of soil should I use for my rosemary plant. LM Lake Forest, CA

Rosemary likes a well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Plant it in a sunny place that you want to keep it for awhile because it doesn't take well to transplanting. If you are going to plant it into a container, work a bit of sand into an all-purpose potting soil mix. Before planting in the ground, work the soil with sand and compost or other organic matter.

Hope u can help?? My rosemary plant has this white (looks) powdery stuff on it. Yet its only on the new shoots that grew in place of sprags I had pinched off earlier....I adopted this plant 4 years ago ( its almost 10 years old now) and have not seen this happen to it before. This white stuff is a little on the sticky side ... could this be a sap resin? or something to do with pollination? In the picture attached I circled to the new shoots and this white stuff is visible ...we have bad winters so it does come in during the cold months......and we just put it out about 4-5 weeks ago. Do you know what this whit stuff is???? (and its VERY strong in rosemary scent)

I suspect your plant has a problem with powdery mildew but am not positive. I suggest you snip off a sprig of the problem and take it to your local garden center as soon as possible for a positive diagnosis and treatment suggestion. Most pests and disease will strike the tender new growth first so that may explain why the problem is occurring where you have pinched.

Can you please tell me if I need to spray my fresh Rosemary wreath after I finish making it? Thank you, Helen

An article I read from Park Seed recently didn't mention spraying herbal wreaths but did suggest drying them well. They also recommend hanging the fresh wreaths in a place where they won't get knocked around to avoid "shedding."

I'm growing Rosemary for my science project. I was wondering how high a Rosemary could grow in a month and if I should just purchase a already started to grow plant. Any extra information would be really nice. Thank You very much.  KJ

I can't accurately tell you how much a rosemary plant would grow in a month although I would predict just a few inches.  You should start with a plant for sure because it is a difficult plant to grow from seed.  Be sure to see All About Rosemary for more information on this fragrant herb. Good luck with your project!

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