How to Grow Rosemary From Seed and Get a Great Harvest

As far as herb gardens go, rosemary is a wonderful addition. It looks beautiful and has a huge variety of handy uses. 

While many home gardeners will start with a small rosemary plant or cuttings, it's also possible to grow rosemary from seed. It might take some patience and multiple attempts, but it's also wildly rewarding, as well as a great way to add some height and beauty to your outdoor garden.

Learn how to start a rosemary plant from seed, as told by a gardening expert.

Meet the Expert

Denise Pizziniis the owner of Damsel Garden . She is a a first generation farmer dedicated to educating others about the wonders of growing flowers and veggies.

How to Start Rosemary Seeds

As Denise Pizzini, the owner of Damsel Garden , points out, growing rosemary is very doable. Just keep in mind, if you're a beginner, it might require some trial and error—or at the very least, some patience.

Start Indoors

To begin, start your rosemary indoors. If you live in a region known for cold winters, Pizzini suggests growing in containers so you can bring your plants indoors when the temps drop. This is because rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, so it does best in warmer climates.

"We start ours in open flats at least 10-12 weeks before planting outside, after the danger of frost has passed," Pizzini says. 

Place Seeds Evenly

Using quality germination mix and a small tray with drainage holes, Pizzini says the soil should be moist (but not soggy) to start. Press seeds into place evenly as opposed to poking a deep hole, she says. 

This is so you can easily transport your seedlings into a larger container, but also because rosemary seeds need light to germinate. This means you should cover the seeds lightly with soil or not at all. 

Wait 14-21 Days

Once your seeds are planted, Pizzini says to mist the seeds to help them make better contact with the soil. From here, germination should take place within two to three weeks. 

Transplanting Rosemary Outdoors

Once you've nurtured your seeds into seedlings, it's almost time to transport them. Pizzini says the key here is to wait until they have at least four true leaves—then, they're ready to be put into pots.

While you could attempt to keep your rosemary inside , Pizzini says mature rosemary is best grown outdoors—but that doesn't mean it requires a ton of space.

"Your container rosemary will thrive in a sunny window if you keep soil evenly moist," she says.   

5 Tips for Growing Rosemary from Seed

1. Give your rosemary lots of light.When you're just getting started, Pizzini says plastic domes can be extremely useful for germinating your rosemary seeds. It helps to keep moisture levels even while you wait for seeds to wake up, she says. Once your seeds have germinated, remove the dome to avoid dampening off.

2. Feed and water accordingly.Pizzini says rosemary isn't the plant you want to overwater or overfeed. Striking an even balance here is the best way to keep your plant's roots healthy and happy.

3. Use the right soil.Rosemary can also be sensitive to soil types. It likes loamy soil, so make sure your container mix is not heavy and offers good drainage, Pizzini says. 

4. Mimic Mother Nature. Before moving your seedlings, Pizzini says you can help your seedlings adjust to fluctuating temperatures by mimicking nature. Place them in the direct sun and ensure they get 8 hours of shade, too, just like they would outside.

5. Mist or bottom water.Because rosemary doesn't do well when overwatered, Pizzini suggests misting or bottom watering your plants using a bottom tray. This will help you avoid displacing seeds. 
   

Maintenance Tips for Your Rosemary Plant

• Once your seedlings are strong and ready, it's time to transfer and keep them happy. Pizzini suggests spacing multiple rosemary plants at least one foot apart and avoiding over-watering.

• Rosemary can be sensitive—it loves careful watering and a lot of sunlight.

• Wait patiently. It takes 85-90 days to get young, tender tips for your culinary needs and 120-180 days if you want to harvest and make bunches.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rosemary easy to grow from seed?

Rosemary isn't particularly easy to grow from seed, but it can be extremely rewarding. It takes some patience, trial and error, and space indoors before you transfer your seedlings.

How many rosemary seeds to plant per hole?

Because rosemary seeds can be quite sensitive, you can increase your chances of germination by planting three to four seeds per hole.

Does rosemary come back every year?

If you live in a warm climate, yes, your rosemary should come back every year. If you're in a spot with cooler climates, you're better off moving your containers inside for the season.

Read the original article on The Spruce .