Coastal rosemary Westringia fruticosa
Coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Lamiaceae family, native to Coastal south-eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria). It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Coastal rosemary in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Coastal rosemary at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal south-eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Coastal rosemary toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or poison-centre references.
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 Coastal rosemary
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Coastal rosemary in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (5 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (4 plants)
Questions about Coastal rosemary
- How far apart should I plant Coastal rosemary?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Coastal rosemary need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Coastal rosemary need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Coastal rosemary?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Coastal rosemary flower?
- From about April for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Coastal 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or poison-centre references.
- What grows well with Coastal rosemary?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Coastal 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).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Tolerates salt wind and clipping; flowers on and off for most of the year with peaks in spring and summer.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
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
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare