How to Grow Rosemary in Australia

Rosemary is best established from semi-hardwood cuttings rather than seed — cuttings root easily and produce a plant true to variety, whereas seed-grown rosemary is variable. Take 10–15cm cuttings from new growth in autumn or spring, strip the lower leaves, and insert into a free-draining propagating mix. Roots develop within 4–8 weeks.

In raised beds, rosemary is best positioned as a permanent resident at one end of a long bed — its woody shrub habit and perennial nature means it will be there for years, and planning around it from the start avoids disruption.

Rosemary demands free-draining soil above all else — it will rot in heavy, wet, or poorly drained conditions. The free-draining nature of raised beds makes them ideal for rosemary, especially in high-rainfall areas. Never overwater rosemary or allow it to sit in water.

Once established, rosemary requires almost no care — a hard prune after flowering in spring to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth is the primary management task. Do not feed heavily; rich soil produces lush but less aromatic growth.

Choose varieties for purpose: 'Prostrate Rosemary' is low-growing and cascades beautifully over bed edges; 'Tuscan Blue' and 'Miss Jessop's Upright' are tall and upright with excellent flavour; 'Blue Lagoon' is compact and suited to smaller beds.