Also known as Coastal Rosemary · 129 saves
Westringia
Westringia, the genus most gardeners know as coastal rosemary. We track 14 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Westringia varieties
Browse all 14 Westringia varieties →
4 species of Westringia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Westringia in Sow
Save the Westringia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Westringia
Whats common across all Westringia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them.
The Westringia year
- PruneMay100% of varieties
Lightly shear or prune after main spring bloom to maintain dense shape
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring
- Check for PestsJune and July93% of varieties
Inspect the inner foliage and leaf undersides for spider mites or aphids during dry summer periods.
- MulchApril43% of varieties
Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the main stems to prevent rot.
Do
- Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot pathogens.
- Water moderately during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Do not apply heavy doses of high-phosphorus fertilizers.
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Heavy pruning during the growing season
- Plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Westringia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaf undersides and stippled, dusty-looking foliage under dry, dusty conditions. | Blast the foliage with a strong stream of water to dislodge mites, or apply insecticidal soap during cool morning hours. |
| Scale insects | Small, bumpy brown shells on stems accompanied by sticky honeydew and sooty mold. | Prune out heavily infested branches and apply horticultural oil during the crawler stage. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and yellow stippling appear on foliage under hot, dry conditions. | Increase humidity around the plant and spray with horticultural oil. |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal patches on leaves in highly humid, shaded, or stagnant air. | Prune internal branches to improve air circulation and relocate the plant to a full-sun position. |
| Root Rot | Foliage yellows, wilts, and branches die back due to soggy soil. | Improve soil drainage, reduce watering, and replant in a raised bed if necessary. |
Making more Westringia
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take three- to four-inch semi-hardwood tip cuttings in late summer.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem.
- Dip the base in a rooting hormone and insert into a free-draining propagation mix.
- Keep the medium lightly moist and place under mist or a plastic cover until roots form.
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch segments 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 6 weeks.
Westringia questions
How many types of Westringia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Westringia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 129 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Westringia grow in?
Across its varieties, Westringia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Westringia bloom?
Most Westringia varieties bloom in spring, spring to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Westringia 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.