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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an intensely aromatic herb. As such, it can be cultivated well in the garden or in pots. Read how much light rosemary needs and in which location it feels particularly comfortable.
In a nutshell
- natural location on barren, sunny rocky slopes on the Mediterranean Sea
- needs a lot of sun and warmth
- only full sun with midday sun
- humus-rich, loose and well-drained soil is ideal
- Herb soil or potting soil mixed with sand for potted rosemary
location
In nature, the herb grows on barren rocky slopes in the Mediterranean region that are permanently exposed to the sun. As in its natural location, it is best to plant rosemary in a place that
- is in full sun
- is not shaded even at midday
- is as warm as possible
In contrast to many other garden plants, the subshrub thrives best in a hot, sunny spot - do not shade it over the midday hours either. On the other hand, half-shady or light-shady locations are unsuitable, as these are too dark for the light and warmth-hungry plant. The best place in the garden is almost always in front of a brightly painted south wall.
Tip: Rosemary copes very well with dryness, but you must not let the root ball dry out completely - this could result in a loss of aroma. Water regularly, but little and with lukewarm water if possible.
floor
Optimal is a floor that
- rich in humus
- loose and permeable
- as well as dry
is. You can thin heavy garden soil with sand before planting, and drainage made of gravel or similar material should be created. The herb does not tolerate waterlogging, which is why rain and irrigation water should drain away or seep in quickly. A spot in naturally poor, sandy garden soil or in a rock garden is therefore very suitable.
Tip: If you plant a herb spiral, it is best to place the rosemary bush at the top. Herbs such as parsley and chives, which like it a bit darker and moister, go into the lower areas.
Rosemary in a pot
Planted rosemary does not differ from potted rosemary in terms of its preference for a full sun location and as much light and warmth as possible. In any case, it is better to keep the plant in containers, at least if you want to overwinter it. If possible, choose a plant pot made of natural material (e.g. clay), as this ensures a better microclimate. Since air can be exchanged through the pores, the roots are sufficiently aerated and mold is less likely to develop. In addition, the plant pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom so that excess water can drain away. Place a shard of pottery over this hole to keep it from clogging. Potting soil rich in humus, diluted with a little sand or expanded clay, or special herbal soil is suitable as a substrate.
Tip: You don't have to buy potting soil, you can make it yourself. To do this, mix sifted soil from fresh molehills with mature compost and some sand.
frequently asked Questions
Which herbs can be planted together with rosemary?It is best to plant a Mediterranean herb bed in a sunny and warm place where all plants have the same requirements in terms of location, soil and care. Sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in particular fit well here. Thanks to the large variety of varieties, you can create variety with variegated sage varieties or fragrant thyme (e.g. lemon or golden thyme). Lavender (Lavandula), oregano (Origanum vulgare), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) harmonize perfectly with rosemary bushes.
When and how do I fertilize rosemary correctly?Rosemary does not need too much care, and you should also be careful when it comes to fertilization. Place potted plants in fresh, humus-rich substrate in spring and fertilize them again with an organic fertilizer in June. Nettle manure, for example, is suitable here, but well-ripened compost also provides the plants with all the important nutrients. On the other hand, nitrogen-rich fertilizers (e.g. manure, horn shavings) should not be applied.
What is the best way to overwinter my rosemary bush?As a Mediterranean plant, Rosmarinus officinalis needs a lot of warmth and is therefore also quite sensitive to frosty temperatures. For a short time, many varieties tolerate frost up to about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, depending on the variety and provided the root ball is not too wet. Nevertheless, the herb should not overwinter outdoors in our latitudes, but spend the winter in a cool and bright place in the house. Temperatures of up to ten degrees Celsius are ideal.