Due to its sensitivity to cold, the popular culinary herb is an ideal candidate for planting in pots or tubs. With the right care, rosemary thrives on the balcony or terrace.
Choice of varieties
Anyone who thinks rosemary is just rosemary will be amazed at the large number of different varieties. In principle, any type of rosemary can be cultivated on the balcony, but there are a few specialties with special growth forms or an outstanding aroma. Some creeping varieties such as Boule or the hanging rosemary are very suitable for planting in window boxes (€109.00) or hanging baskets, provided the plant containers have good drainage. The long tendrils of creeping rosemary will grow out over the box and hang down decoratively. If, on the other hand, you need a little variety in terms of flower colour, then plant white-flowered rosemary or the soft pink-flowered variety Majorcan Pink. One of the varieties with the most beautiful aroma is pine rosemary, which is quite sensitive to cold.
Good neighbors - bad neighbors
As in any other garden, not all plants get along with each other on the balcony. This also applies to rosemary, which feels most comfortable among its own kind. Group Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme and lavender together, but without letting the shrubs steal the light from each other. In addition, rosemary also harmonises very well with leeks (e.g. ornamental leeks or chives).
Plant and care for rosemary
A balcony facing south or south-west is ideal for cultivating rosemary. The Mediterranean plant needs a lot of sun, but if necessary it can also stand in the light partial shade. If, on the other hand, you own a north- or west-facing balcony, it is better to switch to less sun-loving herbs. If possible, choose clay pots for planting. Not only do these go better with the Mediterranean ambience, they also allow excess water to escape more easily. A lean and loose substrate mixture of sand, potting soil, some lime and expanded clay is put into the pot. (19.73€) Also make sure you have good drainage, because rosemary does not like waterlogging at all. Rosemary only needs to be watered moderately and only rarely fertilized - especially if you repot your plants regularly, fertilizing is basically superfluous.
tips and tricks
If you want to overwinter your rosemary outside on the balcony, wrap the pot in warming protective film and put a hood over the plant.
IJA