Rosemary Seeds

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb which is commonly used in kitchens. It has needle like leaves and highly aromatic blue flowers which are used in perfumes and food flavors. The leaves are strong flavored and should be used sparingly with food.

How to grow Rosemary Herb Seeds

Introduction and Uses: Rosemary adds a savory finishing touch with its aroma to various dishes. This perennial, erect herb is easy to grow, evergreen in a majority of the climates and thrives pretty well in containers. In the areas where conditions are warm let this pungent, evergreen plant make a beautiful, strong statement as a hedge or a lovely addition to the rock garden. It is a low-maintenance herb for its ability to live pest-free, for the most part. There is no excuse for not growing this culinary herb in your backyard or kitchen.

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis.

Sowing Rosemary Seeds:

Step 1: Rosemary is grown by direct seed sowing. Seeds can be sown in pot, planter or container filled with good quality, well-drained soil mix.

Step 2: Take off some top soil (2-3 inches) from the centre of pot and make room for seed sowing.

Step 3: Sow few seeds of Rosemary evenly in the pit and cover them back with soil.

Step 4: Water the pot regularly, keep the seed sown surface damp.

Step 5: Rosemary seeds should germinate in 2-3 weeks time, depending on the season.

Step 6: Keep the container in semi shade while the germinated seedlings grow.

Step 7: Thinning: Cut off extra, weak seedlings from the base after two weeks of germination to maintain proper spacing between plants.

Step 8: Once seedlings are growing, keep the Rosemary container in direct sun.

Rosemary Plant Care:

Keep your Rosemary plant in sunny outdoor location for best flavour. Rosemary doesn't mind growing in semi-shade.

Rosemary plant is drought tolerant and requires moderate light watering.

Add a handful of vermicompost to Rosemary plant every month.

Harvest Rosemary herb whenever you need it by simply cutting off the growing stems from the top.

Never harvest more than one-third of growing plant at a time.

You can also propagate new Rosemary plants by planting stem cuttings.

Pests / Diseases that affect Rosemary:

Always look for the early signs of any insect/fungal/ any other infections. Spay appropriate fungicides or pesticides as soon as any symptoms of such diseases are spotted. Watch out for snails and slugs.

Spray Neem Oil/Tobacco extract/soap water to keep insects at bay.

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Storing and Harvesting Rosemary:

After 90-100 days of seed, sowing harvesting can be done all year round.

Keep the harvested stems dipped in a glass full of water for better storage than the refrigerator.

Rosemary Varieties:

Arp rosemary

Barbecue rosemary

Benenden Blue rosemary

Gorizia rosemary

Golden variegated rosemary

Majorca Pink rosemary

Roman Beauty rosemary

Trailing rosemary

Tuscan Blue rosemary

Fun facts about Rosemary:

"Rosemary" derived its name from the Latin words "ros" and "marinus", that mean "dew of the sea". It is because the plant occupies a coastal region. A symbol of loyalty and love, in some parts of the world, the soon-to-be couple and their guests wear rosemary branches during the wedding ceremony. At times it is also used in the funeral rituals. Placing the Rosemary into the hands of deceased and scattering it on the grave symbolise remembrance.