Rosemary is a hardy plant that is easy to grow, but there’s one common mistake that many gardeners make when caring for the shrub, which can lead to it dying off
Stop killing your rosemary plants by making one mistake(Image: Guido Mieth via Getty Images)
Rosemary, a hardy and low-maintenance shrub often used to enhance the flavour of potatoes for a Sunday roast or to add some zest to homemade focaccia bread, is a favourite amongst gardeners. Despite its ability to endure freezing temperatures as low as -10C, many gardeners falter in one common area when looking after rosemary.
Native to the Mediterranean’s coastal areas, it’s a common misconception that rosemary requires minimal watering. Dispelling this belief, Smith’s Gardentown, a fourth-generation family-run garden centre, shared a video on TikTok highlighting the main mistake people make with rosemary: not watering it enough.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) states that rosemary is drought-resistant and generally only needs yearly trimming but cautions against overwatering. A misunderstanding arises when gardeners equate drought tolerance with needing hardly any water at all. Contrary to this misinterpretation, Smith’s Gardentown clears the air by saying: “I’m going to start off with something controversial, and that is most people kill rosemary plants by not watering them enough.”
The gardener shared the common mistake to avoid making with rosemary plants(Image: Getty)
The horticultural expert clarifies that while excessive watering leading to sodden soil should be avoided, as the RHS suggests, this does not imply that rosemary plants should go without sufficient water, reports the Express. “The reality is, rosemary doesn’t like to live in soggy soil, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t like water,” stated the gardening expert.
For those residing in rainy climates, it’s advised to avoid planting the shrub in areas prone to water collection, as this can lead to root rot. However, if you’re growing rosemary in a container, you can afford to be more liberal with watering. The expert explained that when grown in a container or well-draining ground spot, it’s “really hard for you to overwater these plants”.
Rosemary should be watered frequently, especially if it’s a young plant(Image: Getty)
Newly purchased rosemary plants require frequent watering due to their smaller root system, which increases their risk of drying out quickly. As rosemary is drought-tolerant, Southern Living recommends deep watering every one to two weeks to ensure the soil fully absorbs the moisture, preventing the plant from drying out completely.
Understanding how to properly water rosemary can significantly impact your harvest, providing ample herbs for kitchen use. Smith’s Gardentown also suggests regular trimming to prevent the plants from becoming leggy.