Organically grown at KoruKai Herb Farm, New Zealand, without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other agrochemicals.
Rosemary is one of the world's most treasured culinary and medicinal herbs. Native to the sunny hillsides of the Mediterranean, this evergreen shrub is prized for its intensely aromatic, needle-like foliage, beautiful lavender-blue flowers, and exceptional drought tolerance. Long-lived and easy to grow, it makes an attractive feature in herb gardens, kitchen gardens, food forests, edible hedges, and ornamental borders.
Flowering from late winter through spring, Rosemary provides an invaluable early nectar source for honeybees and other beneficial pollinators, often blooming when few other plants are in flower.
Your order includes one healthy bare-rooted seedling, carefully packed in moist bedding to ensure it arrives in excellent condition. We ship plants on the Monday following your order.
Growing Instructions
Unpack your Rosemary as soon as it arrives and plant it into a pot using quality potting mix blended with a little garden soil or compost. Water thoroughly and keep the pot in a sheltered position while the roots establish.
After 3–6 months, or once the plant has developed a strong root system, transplant it into its permanent position in the garden.
Growing Conditions
Rosemary thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil. Like many Mediterranean herbs, it dislikes wet feet and performs best where drainage is excellent.
Before planting, dig a hole two to four times wider than the root ball and incorporate some compost into the surrounding soil. Plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot and apply a generous layer of mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the stem to prevent rot.
Water deeply once a week during the first summer to help establish a deep root system. Once established, Rosemary is remarkably drought tolerant and generally only requires watering during extended dry periods.
Mature plants typically grow 1.5–2 metres tall and around 1–1.5 metres wide, depending on pruning and growing conditions. Space plants 60–90 cm apart, or plant three plants per metre if creating a low hedge.
Rosemary also grows exceptionally well in large containers, making it an excellent choice for patios, courtyards, and small gardens.
Regular light pruning throughout spring and summer encourages bushy, compact growth and prevents plants from becoming woody and sparse. Avoid cutting back into old leafless wood, as regrowth from mature stems can be slow.
Harvesting
Fresh sprigs can be harvested throughout the year as required.
For drying, harvest stems during spring or early summer when the aromatic oils are at their highest concentration. Cut healthy young stems using secateurs, taking care not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Regular harvesting naturally encourages dense, vigorous new growth.
Processing and Drying
Bundle several stems together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Alternatively, spread the stems in a single layer on drying trays and dry at temperatures below 35°C until the needles become crisp.
Once completely dry, strip the leaves from the stems and store them whole in airtight glass jars away from heat and light. Crushing the leaves only when needed helps preserve their flavour and aroma. The dried leaves can also be ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or food processor.
Culinary Uses
Rosemary is one of the essential herbs of Mediterranean cooking. Its warm, pine-like aroma complements roasted vegetables, potatoes, pumpkin, mushrooms, breads, focaccia, and olive oil beautifully.
It pairs especially well with lamb, beef, chicken, pork, and fish, while also adding depth to soups, stews, sauces, marinades, herb rubs, and roasted root vegetables.
Fresh sprigs can be added to barbecue coals or used as natural skewers for grilling vegetables and meat, imparting a delicate smoky rosemary flavour. The flowers are edible too, making an attractive garnish for salads and desserts.
Medicinal Uses*
Rosemary has occupied a central place in European herbal medicine for thousands of years.
Traditionally, it has been used as a stimulating and warming herb that supports healthy circulation, particularly to the head, where it has long been associated with improving memory, concentration, and mental clarity. Since ancient Greece, Rosemary has symbolised remembrance, and students were known to wear or burn Rosemary while studying.
Herbalists have traditionally used Rosemary to:
- Support memory and cognitive function.
- Promote healthy circulation.
- Ease occasional headaches associated with poor circulation.
- Encourage recovery during periods of fatigue and convalescence.
- Lift the spirits and support emotional wellbeing during times of stress.
- Aid digestion, particularly after rich meals.
Rosemary can be prepared as a herbal tea, tincture, infused oil, bath herb, or distilled into essential oil for external use.
Its uplifting fragrance also makes it a favourite herb for aromatherapy and herbal sachets.
Three rosemary plants grown as a hedge at KoruKai Herb Farm, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand.
*This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner or registered herbalist before using medicinal herbs therapeutically.
