How I Got My Rosemary to Grow Lush and Full (And You Can Too!)

If you’ve ever tried to grow rosemary, you’ll know it’s a bit of a tricky herb to get right. I remember my first rosemary plant—a sad, scraggly little thing that never seemed to look as vibrant as the ones at the garden centre. I’d water it, talk to it, even move it around to try and make it happy, but it stubbornly stayed sparse and brittle. After some trial and error, I’ve figured out a few secrets to get rosemary looking lush and full. Here’s what worked for me, and I hope it’ll work for you too!

 

1. Choose the Right Spot: Sunlight Is Essential

Rosemary is a sun-worshipper, and I learned the hard way that “some light” just doesn’t cut it. My rosemary only really started to thrive when I moved it to the sunniest spot I had. If you’re growing rosemary indoors, pick a south-facing window that gets sunlight most of the day. Outdoors, find a sunny corner where it can soak up those rays.

When I finally moved my rosemary to a spot with at least six hours of sunlight, I saw a massive difference. It went from looking dull and droopy to perking up within a few weeks, and I could practically see it reaching towards the sun.

2. Avoid Overwatering—Rosemary Likes It Dry

I was guilty of overwatering at first. I had no idea rosemary prefers its soil on the dry side, so I was giving it a little drink every time I watered my other herbs. Big mistake! Rosemary’s roots don’t like sitting in soggy soil and will start to rot if they stay too wet for too long.

Now, I only water my rosemary when the top inch of soil feels dry. I stick my finger in the soil to check, and if it’s still damp, I leave it be. Trust me, once I started letting the soil dry out, my rosemary plant seemed a lot happier and healthier.

3. Prune Regularly for a Fuller Look

Pruning is a game-changer for making rosemary look bushy and lush. When my plant was looking leggy, I was hesitant to cut any of it back, thinking it was already sparse enough as it was! But a little trim actually encourages new growth, making the plant fuller over time.

I started by cutting back the top couple of inches once it reached about 6 inches tall. Now, whenever it looks like it’s getting too tall or scraggly, I give it a light prune. Not only does it help keep the plant looking fuller, but I also get fresh rosemary to use in my cooking. Win-win!

4. Give It Room to Breathe with Well-Draining Soil

Good drainage is non-negotiable with rosemary. At first, I planted mine in regular potting soil, and it was constantly damp. Big mistake. Rosemary doesn’t like “wet feet,” so I switched to a well-draining mix, adding a bit of sand to the soil to help with drainage.

If you’re potting rosemary, use a pot with drainage holes, and if you’re planting it in the ground, make sure the soil isn’t too compacted. My rosemary’s roots seem so much happier now, and the plant’s growth has sped up. Honestly, this was a huge turning point for me.

5. Feed It Lightly for Healthier Growth

Rosemary doesn’t need heavy feeding, but a little boost now and then can help. I’ve found that a light feeding with an all-purpose liquid fertiliser every couple of months during the growing season (spring and summer) works wonders. Be careful, though, as too much fertiliser can make rosemary lose its flavour.

I once went a bit overboard with fertiliser, and the rosemary tasted less intense, so now I’m much more careful. A little goes a long way with this herb, and I stick to just a tiny dose to keep it healthy.

6. Protect It from Frost (or Bring It Indoors)

If you live somewhere with cold winters, like I do, you’ll need to protect your rosemary from frost. Mine used to stay outdoors, but the winter would always hit it hard, and it would take ages to bounce back. Now, I bring my rosemary inside when the temperature drops.

If that’s not an option, try wrapping the plant in frost cloth or moving it to a more sheltered spot. Once I started protecting my rosemary from the chill, it stayed much healthier and didn’t have to “restart” every spring.

7. Be Patient and Let It Settle In**

This last tip is probably the most important: be patient. Rosemary is a slow grower compared to other herbs, and it took me a while to accept that it wouldn’t transform overnight.

After implementing these steps, I didn’t see dramatic changes right away, but over time, my plant started looking stronger and more vibrant. Now, every time I see it sitting happily on my sunny windowsill or bushy in the garden, it’s so satisfying to know all that care paid off.

Final Thoughts: Growing Lush Rosemary Is Totally Worth It

There’s something so rewarding about tending to a rosemary plant, especially when you finally get it looking lush and healthy. The aroma alone makes it worth every bit of effort—there’s nothing like brushing against those leaves and getting that fresh, earthy scent. Now, I can easily snip a few sprigs whenever I’m cooking, and it adds such a lovely flavour to my dishes.

So, if your rosemary is looking a bit sad and straggly, don’t give up! With a bit of sunlight, the right watering routine, and some patience, you can have a bushy, beautiful rosemary plant that’s the envy of every herb in your garden. Happy growing! 🌿