Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Real Men Sow
Rosemary is a herb that is used for cooking and decorating holidays. Rosemary is a very easy plant to maintain and can withstand all climates if given the right care. You should be aware of some things when you care for your rosemary plant in winter.
Rosemary can be grown indoors or outdoors depending on the climate. Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb and thrives in warmer climates. If you live in a colder area, you can still grow rosemary indoors. It is possible to care for rosemary plants in a more professional manner.
Protecting Outdoor Rosemary In Winter
Rosemary plants can also be grown in the ground outdoors in warm climates. Make sure your rosemary plant gets direct sunlight. To keep your rosemary plant warm, you can place rocks around it. The rocks can help retain heat in winter, and they will prevent your rosemary plants from retaining too much water.
Container-grown rosemary will require more frequent watering, although rosemary doesn’t need to be watered as often in winter. Avoid overwatering, so your plant doesn’t develop root rot. How often to water rosemary plants.
If rosemary plants have been snowed on outside, it is a good idea to take the time to brush off any snow. This is particularly important for trained plants like rosemary topiaries or rosemary hedges. In areas that don’t get snow often, snow tends to be heavy and damp. This can cause branches to break or become bent.
Overwinter Potted Rosemary Indoors
Overwintering potted rosemary indoors in cold climates with freezing winters is the best way to keep it fresh all year. Place your rosemary plant near a sunny window to allow it to overwinter indoors. Rosemary plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to thrive. You can also use LED plant lights to simulate natural sunlight if you don’t have direct sunlight.
Plants of rosemary should be kept in breathable containers such as terracotta and unglazed earthenware. A drainage hole should be provided in the planter. A lightweight, high-quality potting mixture that includes perlite or another similar growing medium should be used. The soil should be watered only when it is dry. Rosemary will not thrive in moist soil so water sparingly.
Rosemary is a lovely addition to your home in winter. You can trim potted plants into a rosemary Christmas tree which can be decorated with lights during the holiday season. Many gardeners love the festive scent of rosemary indoors.
Keeping Rosemary Alive In Winter
Rosemary is a hardy plant. However, there are some things you can do to help your rosemary plant thrive year after year. Proper drainage is essential for indoor plants. Rosemary prefers moist leaves and dry roots, which is why it is so different from other plants. Your plant may also die if it is submerged. Make sure to water your plants regularly.
You can also fertilize your rosemary plant in the spring or late winter to keep it healthy. You can use a half- or diluted organic fertilizer to fertilize your rosemary plant before you move it outdoors when the weather is warmer.
A pot that is the right size for rosemary can be another tip to keep it alive in winter. Rosemary can only grow to the size of the pot in which it is placed. If you don’t want to repot rosemary, you can trim the roots and leaves so that they can remain in the same container. If you want your rosemary plant to grow, it is important to plant it in a pot of the same height. A 8-inch plant will need a pot that is 8 inches deep. Rosemary can be overwintered in larger pots (12 inches wide is ideal for older potted plants).
How And When To Prune Rosemary Plants In Winter
Rosemary plants require minimal or no pruning in winter. These plants do not require significant winter pruning, even though it is fine to trim sprigs as a culinary herb .
When is the best time to prune rosemary plants? It can be done in late winter or early spring. You can trim the shrub as necessary throughout the summer and spring. Do not prune too often in the fall or late summer as new growth can be damaged by cold temperatures and drying winds.
Is Pruning Necessary In The Winter?
Rosemary plants can be cared for by themselves with minimal maintenance. If you are looking to keep your rosemary plants contained and not too leggy in winter, then pruning is not required. You can leave your rosemary plant as big as you like, and not prune it. If you want your rosemary plant to grow more bushy and fuller, it is a good idea to prune it regularly.
