What to Do When a Rosemary Tree Loses Its Fullness?

Plant a Tree

• Replant your rosemary tree. If it is in a small container, it may need room to grow. Place it in a larger container or, in temperate climates, in the ground. Plant the rosemary tree in light potting soil that encourages good drainage. Rosemary tolerates most climates except extreme heat or cold. Be sure the tree has fresh air circulation to reduce powdery mildew that inhibits full growth and stunts foliage.

Water Woes

• Check your rosemary for over- or under-watering. Most plants appear wilted when they need water, or leaves turn yellow with too much water. The rosemary's woody traits and narrow leaves mean that it does not show stress. By the time the plant looks dead, it is usually too late to withhold or add water. Water your rosemary tree once every week or two, but do not allow the soil to dry completely. On the other hand, do not leave your rosemary tree with wet feet. The roots rot and the tree drops its inner leaves, losing its fullness because soil is too wet.

Light Fantastic

• Check the inner leaves. If the leaves next to the trunk are sparse and dropping from the branches, the tree may need more sunlight. Rosemary benefits from strong, regular sunlight for full and healthy growth. If it is in a container, move the tree container to full sun exposure, or at least four hours direct sun daily. When an outdoor rosemary tree is shaded by other landscaping, move the tree or prune back the overshadowing plants.

Shear Beauty

• Shear or prune your rosemary tree to encourage fullness. Rosemary branches grow slender and long. Fullness comes from pruning back the branches so that they fill out with secondary growth and new leaves. Its natural tendency is to sprawl as a trailing plant or shoot upright as a hedge. The tree needs regular pruning to encourage its dense, tree shape. Cut limp or sparse foliage back deep inside the tree. As light and air reach the inner plant, healthy thick new foliage will replace the old sparse stems.