My Rosemary Is Drying Up & Dying

Frost and Cold Damage

• Rosemary is frost-sensitive, which can cause it to dry up and die. In USDA zones 8 and above, where sudden freezes and cold nighttime temperatures occur, rosemary does best in containers outside or indoors. If you live in colder climates, grow your rosemary indoors or only during the warmer months. Certain varieties are more cold-resistant than others, like Arp, which is hardy down to zone 5.

Water Deficiency and Over-Watering

• Giving your rosemary too much or insufficient water both can turn it brown and dry it out. The plant's leaves begin to fall off as well. If your rosemary plant looks dry and unhealthy, check the soil. If it's bone-dry, increase the frequency your watering sessions, but give it only moderate amounts of water at a time. Let the soil dry between watering, applying the water around the edges of the container to prevent root rot. If the soil is wet or soggy, cut back your watering sessions.

Cramped Roots

• Keeping your rosemary plant in the same tiny container it came in when purchased can potentially kill it. The growing roots need plenty of space and nutrient-rich media to live in. If you can see roots just under the top layer of soil, or they stick out below the planter, transplant the rosemary into a container at least twice the size of the root mass. Use well-drained garden or potting soil. Rosemary needs no fertilizer if you plant it in native soil. Mix compost into potting soil before transplanting.

Tips for Healthy Rosemary

• Keep rosemary in a warm, sunny location. Cut back branches once per season to promote growth. Keep at least 20 percent of old growth. If your bring it either indoors or outdoors, do it gradually to prevent shock. Once it's warm enough, take the plant out for a couple of hours, adding time each day until it can thrive outdoors once again. Bring rosemary inside for the winter, and keep it in a cool area with plenty of airflow and sunlight. Water the plant less during winter months.