Also known as Rosemary · 271 gardener saves
Rosmarinus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Rosmarinus, the genus most gardeners know as rosemary. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Rosmarinus varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedRosemary Tuscan Blue
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue'
#2 most savedArp Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp'
#3 most savedCommon Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Salem'
Rosemary Blanquita
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Blanquita'
Rosemary Furneaux Hardy
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Furneaux Hardy'
Rosemary Hill Hardy
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Hill Hardy'
Irene Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Renzels'
Athens Blue Spires Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Athens Blue Spires'
How to grow Rosmarinus
What the Rosmarinus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Rosmarinus year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Lightly shape in late winter/early spring to maintain density
- HarvestJanuary–November100% of varieties
Snip sprigs as needed for culinary use
- Winter PrepOctober and November38% of varieties
If exposed, cover or move containers to protect from hard freezes
Do
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water deeply but infrequently 🌱
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the shrub
- Use well-draining soil for planting
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Allow soil to remain soggy
- Plant in dense, clay soil without amendment
What goes wrong with Rosmarinus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled foliage | Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Rosmarinus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-woody stems in late spring.
- Cut 4-6 inch sections and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep soil moist and place in bright, indirect light.
- Roots develop in about 6 weeks.
Seeds
- Sow seeds on surface of moist seed-starting mix.
- Lightly cover with sand and keep moist.
- Maintain warm temperature for germination over 2-4 weeks.
Rosmarinus questions
How many types of Rosmarinus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Rosmarinus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 271 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Rosmarinus grow in?
Across its varieties, Rosmarinus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Rosmarinus bloom?
Most Rosmarinus varieties bloom in late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Rosmarinus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Rosmarinus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Rosmarinus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
