Creeping Rosemary Plant: How to Care for Creeping Rosemary

Creeping rosemary, known by the scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus’ or the common name prostrate rosemary, is a dense and low-growing evergreen shrub. Creeping rosemary is a trailing rosemary plant with pale blue flowers and dark green needles. Due to its dense growth habits, creeping rosemary is often used as a ground cover plant in rock gardens, but it is also commonly grown in hanging baskets or over retaining walls. The rosemary species includes many semi-woody/tender perennial herbs with needle-shaped leaves indigenous to Asia and the Mediterranean Basin. A member of the mint family, the herb can add flavor to roasted dishes like chicken, roasted vegetables, and bread.

Rosemary seeds have low germination rates and are slow to grow initially, making propagation more optimal for growing creeping rosemary plants. Creeping rosemary stem cuttings mature in a few months, allowing you to harvest rosemary faster than if you start from seed.

1. 1. Use sharp scissors to take cuttings. Find a mature creeping rosemary plant and snip the stem five to six inches from the tip.
2. 2. Remove the lower leaves. Delicately strip off the needles from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting.
3. 3. Place cutting in a jar of water. Move the jar to a warm area that receives indirect sunlight. Every two or three days, replace the old water with fresh water. Root growth should occur within a few weeks, but it could take longer in cooler temperatures. When roots develop around the base of a healthy cutting, it is ready for planting.
4. 4. Plant the stem cutting in a small container. A sandy, well-draining soil mix is ideal. When planting, avoid damaging the roots by carefully placing the cutting into a three-inch hole in the potting soil. Gently fill the hole with soil and water it.
5. 5. Care for the newly potted plant. Ensure the new plant receives indirect light and water it whenever the surface soil dries out. Once you notice new growth, give the cutting a gentle tug; if you feel resistance, the plant has rooted and you can transplant it.
6. 6. Transplant rosemary outdoors. Move your creeping rosemary to a larger container or a garden bed. Plant it into compost-rich soil with good drainage. Choose a location where it will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day.

Creeping rosemary is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11.

• Provide plenty of sunlight. Creeping rosemary grows best when planted in a location that receives full sun. If grown indoors, try to place your creeping rosemary near a south-facing window that provides plenty of sun.
• Water a mature plant only a few times a week. While new plants require almost daily watering, you should only water mature creeping rosemary once or twice a week. They are relatively drought tolerant and do not require much water, so be careful not to waterlog the soil.
• Monitor for pests and diseases. Pests such as aphids, spittlebugs, whiteflies, and red spider mites are all attracted to rosemary and can cause its foliage to wilt. Inspect your plant frequently, and if pests are present, use insecticidal soap to deter them. Root rot can also plague overwatered rosemary, so make sure your soil dries out in between waterings. Indoor rosemary is especially susceptible to mold and powdery mildew due to a lack of good air circulation. To improve air circulation indoors, run a fan near your plants.
• Prune to encourage new growth. Use pruning shears to trim away dead or damaged shoots and flowers. Prune in spring or early summer, ensuring there’s plenty of sunlight to boost the production of new foliage.
• Harvest just before blooming. Rosemary oils are at their flavor peak immediately before the plant blooms. When harvesting rosemary, cut off the desired amount of sprigs and hang them upside down to dry in a cool, dark place. Once dry, strip the sprigs of their needles by pulling them between your pinched fingertips. Store the needles whole to maintain flavor and only chop them once you're ready to use them in a meal.
• Plant with the proper companions. Rosemary is a companion plant to many vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, and parsnips. Grow your creeping rosemary with a companion plant to help keep away pests, attract beneficial insects, and improve the soil quality. Some companion plants will also help your creeping rosemary to grow faster and even improve its taste.

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