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If I had to pick only one herb for my garden (gasp!) I would have to pick Rosemary.
The smell is like none other and the multitude of uses makes this herb a rock-star plant.
But what do you do with it?
I will show you how to Grow, Cook and Use Rosemary, along with sharing the wonderful benefits.
How to Grow Rosemary
Like many other herbs, Rosemary is a member of the mint family.
It is a perennial (and an evergreen) here on the coast in SC, zone 8b.
Because Rosemary is an evergreen, it makes it a wonderful herb to have in landscaping.
- Rosemary likes to have 5-6 Hours of Sun Per Day to thrive
- Well Drained Soil is essential
- Rosemary does not like wet roots
- You can add mulch, stone, or crushed shells to help keep the water off the plant.
- If you keep your rosemary in a pot, replant once a year.
- Rosemary is beautiful in landscape and can make a great shrub
- Attracts Beneficial’s. Bess, butterflies and other beneficial insects love Rosemary
Growing Rosemary- Pest and Problems
Spider Mites
The main pest that rosemary attracts is Spider-mites.
- The best way I have combated Spider Mites is with a hard spray with the garden hose.
- You can also use a 3:1 ratio of water and rubbing alcohol in spray bottle.
- Another remedy you can try is 1 tsp of Blue Dawn dish soap in 8 oz of water in spray bottle and spray the mites.
Spittlebugs
If you see something that looks like someone spit on your rosemary then you are dealing with Spittlebugs.
This nasty goober producing bug rarely kills the plant but it will make it weak and therefore vulnerable to other disease.
- Spray with garden hose and remove all visible slime and tiny brown bugs.
- Spray with a neem oil insecticidal bug spray
Neem Oil Insecticidal Bug Spray
- 1 quart distilled warm water
- 1 tsp Neem Oil
- 1/3 tsp Dish Soap
Directions
- Place water, then dish soap in spray bottle. mix thoroughly.
- Add Neem Oil
- Shake or stir until blended
- Label bottle and use only for this spray
- Spray on infected area.
Powdery Mildew When Growing Rosemary
Powdery mildew often occurs on rosemary because it doesn’t have enough air circulation and has gotten too wet.
Mildew is easy to identify because the leaves will turn gray.
Powdery Mildew will not kill the plant but it will weaken it.
- Remove the plant from the location and place in a dryer area if potted
- Cut affected branches or remove leaves
- Prune the plant to open circulation
- Spray with Neem Oil Insecticidal Spray
How to Grow Rosemary- Harvesting Tip
When you are ready to harvest your rosemary to make an amazing dish, make sure you cut your sprig all the way down towards the bottom of the stem.
Rosemary with branch off of the cutting. So if you cut towards the end of the branch, you will end up with a leggy and droopy plant.

How to Cook Rosemary
Rosemary has a tea-like aroma and a piney flavor.
Rosemary’s pungent, assertive flavor blends well with meats and side dishes.
Recipes With Rosemary
- Appetizer: Easy Holiday Appetizer With Cranberries & Rosemary
- Drink: Cranberry Spritzer
- Bacon: Rosemary and Amber Ale Candied Bacon
- Chicken: Skillet Rosemary Chicken
- Prime Rib: Pioneer Woman’s Prime Rib with Rosemary and Salt Crust
- Lamb: Rosemary and Garlic Lamb Chops
- Pork: Rosemary Pork Roast
- Rabbit: Baked Rabbit with Rosemary and Honey
- Roasted Potatoes: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Garlic: Easy Appetizer Recipe Herb Roasted Garlic
- Crackers: Easy Rosemary Crackers
- Breads: Almost Famous Rosemary Bread Recipe
- Olive Oil: Rosemary Olive Oil- How to
Benefits of Rosemary
- Rosemary has:analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, anti-infection, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and expectorant properties
- Improves Digestion
- Improves Memory
- The herb is exceptionally rich in many B-complex groups of vitamin, such as folic acid,pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin.
- It is one of the herbs containing high levels of folate.
- Good Source of Iron, Calcium, B6 and it rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks.
Due to the antibacterial properties of rosemary, we use it as one of our key ingredients in our Antibacterial Cleaning Spray.
What is your favorite way to use Rosemary?

Diana
Friday 28th of July 2023
Since I live in zone 5b, I would love tips on overwintering rosemary indoors. I have done it, but the plant looks blah. Like it's perpetually stunned.
Amber Bradshaw
Tuesday 1st of August 2023
Although Rosemary is hardy, it's pretty fickle. I would probably just place it in a big planter pot to move back and forth vs placing it in the ground. Rosemary doesn't like to be too wet, you may be watering too much. Place in a south-facing window and not too much heat. Rosemary comes in different varieties as well; a good cold hardy one is Hill Hardy. Rosemary can benefit from a little bone meal as well.
Keep me posted how it does for you this year! Amber
Jamie
Wednesday 28th of June 2023
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs, especially to smell, but I also love cooking with it. Sage is my second favorite scent in the garden, but I don't use it much for cooking. I tend to use thyme, mint and oregano the most.
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Jackie
Monday 12th of February 2018
Thanks for your tips about growing & using herbs, I started mine off last year. I'm in the East Anglian region of the UK and usually get warm summers (Usually, although last summer was a bit ropey!!). We put ours in the back garden because we get the reflective heat from the house which is south facing and they are doing quite well. It's great to hear from other countries to see how their growing season pans out.
Amber Bradshaw
Monday 12th of February 2018
Hi Jackie and thanks for your comment. Our rosemary did quite well despite our frost and snow this year, which is unusual for us. That's good that you' re using the radiant heat from the house to help your herbs. Rosemary is truly one of my favorite herbs to use. I love adding it to my water and juice drinks as well as simmer it in a cock for an air freshener. Please keep in touch, I would love to hear more about your garden! Blessings, Amber B