Rosemary in 6″ Pot

A fragrant, evergreen woody shrub with forms from upright bushes to trailing groundcovers. Upright types reach 0.6–1.8 m (2–6 ft) tall and 0.6–1.5 m (2–5 ft) wide; prostrate cultivars spread 0.3–0.6 m tall by 0.6–1.2 m wide, great for cascading over walls or pots. Stems are square in cross-section (mint-family trait), becoming woody with age; bark is grey-brown and slightly peeling. Leaves are needle-like, 2–4 cm × 2–5 mm, dark green above, white-felted beneath, arranged oppositely; packed with aromatic oil glands (rich in cineole, camphor, carnosic acid). Flowers are small, two-lipped, usually pale blue to violet (cultivars also white, pink, deep blue), borne in axillary clusters along the stems; bloom mainly in spring–summer, but in warm climates can flower intermittently year-round. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love them. Roots are fibrous with a strong taproot; plants are long-lived (20–30+ years in good conditions).

Quick care: full sun (≥6–8 hrs; at least 6 hrs direct light indoors or use a grow light). Warm 18–27 °C (65–80 °F); hardy outdoors in USDA 8–10 (some cultivars to zone 6–7 with protection); bring pots indoors where winters drop below −5 °C (23 °F). Soil: lean to average, gritty, very well-drained (sandy/loam with perlite or coarse sand); pH 6.0–7.5 (slightly alkaline is fine). Water deeply but infrequently—let the top 3–5 cm dry out; drought-tolerant once established, but hates soggy roots (winter wet is the main killer). In pots use terracotta with drainage holes; water when soil is dry to the touch. Feed sparingly: a light spring application of balanced organic fertilizer; too much nitrogen reduces oils and flavor. Prune lightly after flowering to keep shape and encourage dense growth; avoid cutting into old woody stems that lack leaves. Propagate easily by semi-hardwood cuttings (10 cm) in summer. Watch for powdery mildew (poor airflow), root rot (overwatering), spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies; good sun and drainage prevent most issues. Safe for pets (non-toxic per ASPCA) but sap can be a mild skin irritant. Culinary leaves are used fresh or dried; also valued for fragrance, pollinators, and as a low hedge or container plant.