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There’s no need to toss your rosemary plant into the compost this fall! With a bit of love, you can overwinter it indoors. In warmer climates, rosemary is a perennial, but in Ontario, we need to bring it inside to keep it going. Follow these 3 easy steps on how to overwinter rosemary, and you’ll enjoy fresh herbs all winter long!
3 Steps to Overwintering Plants
Inspect your plant
Before bringing your rosemary indoors, give it a good once over to ensure it’s healthy and has no unwanted insects. Keep an eye out for signs of disease like weak, sickly, blackened stems. If you see any bugs, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap like Bug B Gone. This will ensure you don’t bring insects into your home that could spread to your other houseplants.
Find the perfect spot
Rosemary loves sunlight! Find a bright room, but avoid placing your plant directly in front of a window. I chose my kitchen because I have lots of natural light from south-facing windows. Be sure to put a plate or saucer under your planter, to avoid water draining on your floor.
Water rosemary infrequently
Rosemary is an arid plant and doesn’t like to have wet feet. Allow it to dry out completely between waterings. How often to water your rosemary depends on the conditions in your home, but generally, in winter, once a month should do it. You can also give it a light mist once a week. With furnaces running, our homes can be very dry with low humidity.
Ortho Bug B Gon Eco Insecticidal Soap
- Ortho Bug B Gon ECO Insecticide is formulated with canola oil and pyrethrins to control all life stages of aphids, mites, and whitefly
- Concentrate bottle designed for use with Scotts Dial ‘N Spray Multi-use Hose-end Sprayer, making it easy to spray large areas
- Can be used safely for indoor and greenhouse use when used according to label instructions
- Easy to use: When you see pests or pest damage on plants, spray to thoroughly cover, but not to the point of runoff
- Kills pests before they can reproduce
Overwintering Rosemary Indoors FAQs
When should I bring my rosemary plant inside?
Aim to bring your rosemary inside in mid to late fall before the risk of frost.
How do I use rosemary?
A woodsy, aromatic herb, rosemary is popular in Mediterranean cuisine. Try it in soup, casseroles, and bread, or as a seasoning for red meat, fish or roasted vegetables.
Try these delicious rosemary-crusted lamb chops.
Are there any health benefits of rosemary?
Rosemary is a powerful antioxidant with many beneficial compounds, including eucalyptol, which is considered to have antibacterial effects. It is also historically known as the “herb of remembrance” for its ability to help with memory. Check out Power Plants to learn more about this helpful herb!
Where is rosemary a perennial?
In zones 7-10, rosemary is considered a perennial and will thrive year-round. It’s grown as a shrub and is a popular choice for a drought-tolerant plant in Las Vegas! But in cooler climates (like the GTA) you’ll need to bring your rosemary indoors to overwinter.
I’ve tried bringing many plants indoors for the winter, and I have been lucky with rosemary. The secrets to success are bright light, infrequent watering, and misting if humidity is low. My plant is now two years old and thriving. If you decide to overwinter your rosemary plant, let me know how it goes!
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