Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family. It grows 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.3 m (31 in–4.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Rosemary in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Rosemary at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.3 m (31 in–4.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, flowers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇦🇷 Argentina |
Is Rosemary toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Rosemary is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rosemary
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Rosemary in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (4 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (4 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (3 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (4 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (4 plants)
Questions about Rosemary
- How far apart should I plant Rosemary?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.3 m (31 in–4.3 ft).
- Does Rosemary need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rosemary need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rosemary?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Rosemary flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rosemary poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Rosemary is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Rosemary?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rosemary. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Hardiness varies widely by cultivar.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare
- Thai basil Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora