Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) is an evergreen shrub that is native to southern Europe, including Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain. A popular herb throughout the world, Rosemary has fragrant needle-like leaves and can produce white, pink, purple and more often blue flowers. It is a culinary staple in its native Mediterranean region and is now widely regarded as an essential oil and medicinal herb.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry, Coastal, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Today, Rosemary is one of the most commercially successful herbs in the world. It is a prized ornamental plant sold in nurseries, a common herb used in the kitchen and is a popular essential oil with naturopaths.
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Growth
Rosmarinus officinalis is an aromatic perennial that grows to a maximum height of up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) and a spread of no more than 1.2 metres (4 feet). Rosemary shrubs grow well in sub-tropical, coastal regions but tolerate cold temperatures and long periods without watering. It is considered an invasive weed in some countries and is often grown in containers to limit the spread.
The leaves are broad, green above and white below, with dense, short, woolly-like hair. Rosemary flowers during spring and summer in temperate climates but can be year round in warmer climates. These flowers can be white, pink, purple and a deep blue and run down the length of the plants branches.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Lamiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-12-38°C / 10-100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.8m (6 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.2m (4 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
Harvest in between 100-150 days
GERMINATION RATES:
65-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-3 weeks at temperatures between 15-25°C / 59-77°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 750
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (Rosemary)
In 2017, the botanical name for Rosemary was changed to Salvia rosmarinus. Even so, the general horticulture industry has been slow to adapt and most nurseries, wholesale tubestock and seed suppliers still use Rosmarinus officinalis to label their stock, which officially is now a synonym.
Elizabeth Kent noted that the botanical name of this plant referred in Latin to Sea-Dew, which indeed suits Rosemary as it grows best when near the sea.
The first mention of Rosemary is found on stone tablets as early as 5000 BCE, while the Egyptians where reported as using the herb for embalming corpses as early as 3500 BCE.
Rosemary Essential Oil is used to treat a range of medical ailments including balding hair, inflammation, improving memory, lowering cortisol and boosting your liver.
For Pain Relief try mixing 2 drops of Rosemary oil, 2 drops of Peppermint Oil and 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil, and rub on sore muscles and painful joints to increase circulation and decrease inflammation.
For more information regarding the medicinal benefits of Rosemary click here.
