The evergreen rosemary is native to the hot summer Mediterranean regions. There it also grows wild and is often planted as a hedge because of its vigorous growth - the shrub can grow up to two meters high. In Germany, the plant very rarely grows that high - here it is usually too cold for it. Rosemary is quite undemanding in terms of care, only the location should be right. The shrub also does not tolerate moisture.
When and how often do you have to water rosemary?
As a true Mediterranean plant, rosemary does not need too much water - quite the opposite, because waterlogging in particular has deadly consequences for the drought-loving herb. Planted rosemary does not usually need to be watered unless the summer is very hot and dry. As soon as the shoots drop their tips, you should reach for the watering can. You can water with tap water, because rosemary tolerates lime very well. Pot rosemary is poured as soon as the top layer of soil has dried well.
Do you need to fertilize rosemary?
Rosemary has an extremely low nutrient requirement, which is why fertilizing is basically superfluous. Rosemary plants should not be fertilized, especially in the first year or when they are freshly repotted, as this oversupply can lead to the death of the plant. Only older shrubs that have been in place for a few years can be sparingly supplied with an organic liquid fertilizer or, at the beginning of the growing season, with mature compost.
How do I mix the right soil for rosemary?
Rosemary loves dry and lean soil, so you should either reserve a suitable spot in the garden for it - the plant thrives very well in rock or gravel gardens, for example - or mix the appropriate substrate. To do this, use garden soil or, for potted rosemary, commercially available potting soil and mix it with sand or coarse gravel in a ratio of 1:1. You can also fold in expanded clay (€19.73) or small pebbles for better drainage.
When do I need to repot rosemary?
Rosemary in a pot should be transplanted into a larger container about every two to three years, although it is better to make the pot too big than too small - the widely branched roots of the plant need enough space. Place the rosemary in fresh substrate and, if possible, choose a pot made of natural materials, ideally made of clay or ceramic. With an annual repot, you can even do without fertilizing - the nutrient content of the fresh substrate completely covers the needs of the plant. The best time to transplant is early spring, before the rosemary is brought out of hibernation.
Cut the rosemary properly
In contrast to thyme or lavender, you should not prune rosemary too generously, because the shrub quickly resents such care measures. Instead, cut away individual, dried shoots and thin out the plant from time to time. If the rosemary grows too big or becomes too woody, you can cut it back in the spring. Be careful not to damage the old wood. Otherwise, a makeover is also possible through division.
Rosemary looks dried up and turning brown, what to do?
If the rosemary looks dried up, the needles turn brown and fall off, this can have two causes. Especially in dry and hot summers and towards the end of winter, the plant can suffer from severe drought and should be watered more often. But be careful: waterlogging can also cause the rosemary to dry up. If the roots are permanently in too much moisture, they begin to rot and can no longer supply the plant with water and nutrients. So before you over-water your dried-up looking rosemary, first check for the cause. In case of waterlogging, you should move the plant and prune rotting roots.
Rosemary has white spots - what helps?
If the rosemary gets white spots, there are various reasons behind it. If the leaves are covered with a fine, white layer, there is a high probability of the fungal disease powdery mildew. Leaves infected with powdery mildew must be removed immediately - and should either be burned or disposed of with household waste, but never in the compost. A whitish coating can also be caused by a spider mite infestation, which usually occurs after winter. White or light spots on the leaves, on the other hand, indicate so-called thrips, which are thrips that are a maximum of three millimeters long and suck leaf juice. Thrips also thrive particularly well in a dry environment, so infested plants should be hosed down.
Is rosemary hardy?
Most varieties of rosemary are winter hardy but not hardy. This means that the plant cannot survive freezing temperatures without protection. However, there are now breeds that have been specially selected for insensitivity to severe minus temperatures. Considered to be particularly robust
- Veitshöchheim rosemary
- arp
- BlueWinter
- Sudbury Gem
- and Madeleine's Hill.
More sensitive varieties, on the other hand, should not be left outdoors in permanent low temperatures.
How do I overwinter rosemary?
Simply place potted rosemary in the house when the temperature is below zero - a bright, not too warm place with temperatures around 10 °C is ideal. Planted rosemary, on the other hand, needs a protective layer of brushwood, straw or fleece.
tips and tricks
Younger rosemary plants under the age of three should either be wrapped up well or placed indoors at the beginning of winter. Older rosemaries with deep roots have a better chance of surviving the cold season.
IJA