Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Evergreen where winters are mild; in a pot indoors elsewhere.
Hardiness: zones 7 to 10
Light: full sun
Size: about 4 ft tall, 4 ft wide
Harvest: January to December
From: Mediterranean
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use.
Native to: Mediterranean. Hardy in zones 7 to 10.
The story
Rosemary grew on the sea cliffs of the Mediterranean and was the herb of memory for the Greeks and of weddings and funerals for Europeans; Hungary's queen was said to be cured by a tonic of it. It is a shrub, not a herb, and lives for decades where winters are mild.
Planting
Full sun and sharply drained soil; plant in spring, or in a pot to bring indoors where winters drop below 15°F. 'Arp' and 'Hill Hardy' take more cold.
Growing
Water rarely once established; it dies more often from wet than drought. Prune lightly after flowering; never into bare wood. No feeding.
Harvest and use
Cut sprigs any time; the flavour is strongest in summer. Woody stems make skewers.
What to watch for
Root rot, winter cold, and spittlebugs.
Safety
Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.
See if Rosemary fits your yard
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More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home