Rosemary

Basic Information

Seed Number

142

Seed Name

Rosemary

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Herb

Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Plant Type

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus; syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 10 – Feb 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 6 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

12 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

14–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

80–100 days to first stem-tip harvest

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-70°F

Planting Depth

Surface sow; cover lightly

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

18-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep moist, not soaked, during germination and establishment; once established, let soil dry somewhat between waterings

Soil Preference

Light, very well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

18-60 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Johnny's Selected Seeds; NC State Extension; UMN Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors from seed; transplant outdoors after frost into very well-drained soil. Container growing is ideal for overwintering.
Original Start Planting Date: Feb 13 – Feb 27 indoors
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: ~Mar 1 for useful outdoor-size transplant
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Transplant ~May 10 – Jun 15 after frost when weather/soil are warm. Keep in a pot if overwintering indoors.
Germination Time: 14–21 days; sometimes longer/uneven
Days to Harvest / Bloom: ~80–100 days for stem-tip harvest; 120–180 days for larger bunching harvests
Container Friendly: Yes; excellent container herb with drainage
Pollinator Friendly: Yes when flowering
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Yes; culinary herb with traditional herbal uses. Not medical guidance.
Perennial?: Tender woody perennial
Succession / Reusable Notes: No succession sowing needed once established. Take cuttings or overwinter a container plant for reuse year to year.
Zone 6B Notes: Not reliably winter-hardy outdoors in much of Zone 6B. Treat as annual or overwinter indoors unless using a proven hardy cultivar with protection.
Companion Plants: Thyme, sage, lavender, oregano; herbs that like sunny, dry, well-drained conditions
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Wet soil/root rot is the main watch-out. Winter cold is also a concern in Zone 6B.
Sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/rosemary/rosemary-key-growing-information.html | NC State Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salvia-rosmarinus/ | UMN Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/growing-herbs

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Rosemary is marginally hardy in Zone 6B. Some plants survive protected winters with excellent drainage and mulch, but container culture with protected overwintering is more reliable.
Germination: Start 10-12 weeks before the last frost. Rosemary can germinate slowly and unevenly. Press seed onto the surface, cover only lightly and keep moist but not saturated.
Harvest: Stem-tip harvest can begin approximately 80-100 days after planting. Larger bunching harvests may require 120-180 days.
Seed Saving: Allow flowers to mature and dry before collecting seed. Rosemary grown from seed can show natural variation.
Special Care: Excellent drainage is critical, especially during winter. In exposed Zone 6B locations, bring container plants into a protected cool, bright area before severe winter cold.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/rosemary/rosemary-key-growing-information.html — 14-21 day germination, 65-70°F temperature, 10-12 week indoor start, surface sowing, spacing, height, Zones 6-10, soil and harvest timing
Research Source: European Medicines Agency — https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/rosmarini-folium — established traditional medicinal use of rosemary leaf
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]