Can rosemary be grown indoors year-round?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.To successfully cultivate rosemary indoors on a year-round basis, you must create a Mediterranean environment in your home. Position the plants near south-facing windows that receive direct sunlight for six hours daily. Rosemary prefers average daytime temperatures of 60-70°F (15-21°C). The plant will also succeed with a properly formulated cactus mix for draining soil and consistent watering practices.
Light Management
- Provide 6+ hours direct sun from south-facing windows
- Supplement with full-spectrum LED grow lights in winter
- Rotate plants weekly for even light distribution
Climate Control
- Maintain 60-70°F (15-21°C) day temperatures
- Ensure 40-50% humidity using pebble trays
- Avoid cold drafts from windows or heating vents
Soil and Water
- Use cactus/succulent mix with extra perlite
- Water only when top two inches feel completely dry
- Apply diluted seaweed fertilizer monthly in growing season
My indoor rosemary plant benefits from supplemental lighting during dark winters. I placed LED panels six inches above the plants and left them on for fourteen hours each day. This keeps my rosemary from becoming too leggy while maintaining the compact, bushy form required for indoor growing. I regularly turn the plant so that light hits all sides of it.
To avoid common indoor plant problems like spider mites, maintain good airflow. Use small oscillating fans nearby and mist them weekly. To avoid common indoor plant problems like spiderpleasemites, maintain good airflow. Use small oscill These steps will give you healthy, pest-free rosemary year-round.
Water cautiously using the weight test method. Use the weight of the containers to detect moisture levels before watering. Terracotta pots will help wick away any moisture. Always discard any residual moisture remaining in the saucer 30 minutes after watering. This is done to prevent root rot, the primary cause of death for rosemary when it is planted indoors.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Steps: How to Grow Rosemary Perfectly
