The Popular Herb You Can Still Plant In Fall (And The Best Way To Do It)

Adding flavor to your garden (and your kitchen) doesn't have to wait until spring. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), a fragrant, evergreen herb, can still be planted in fall in warmer climates or grown in pots for indoor winter enjoyment. Its needle-like leaves and small blue, lavender, or white flowers make it both ornamental and practical. This hardy herb is the perfect type of plant to grow if you don't have a green thumb, thriving with minimal fuss and offering year-round rewards.

Native to the Mediterranean, rosemary is a woody shrub that grows upright or trails, depending on the variety. Upright types make excellent low hedges or specimen plants, while trailing forms cascade beautifully over walls or containers. The shrub generally reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide, flowering from spring into summer. Its evergreen foliage adds texture, and its strong scent helps keep deer out of your yard, protecting other plants from nibbling visitors.

Rosemary shines both in the kitchen and around the home. Snip young stems for cooking — perfect with roast meats, vegetables, soups, and breads — while older stems flavor vinegars, oils, or butter, or even work as skewers for grilling. The leaves make a soothing tea, and the fragrant foliage is ideal for sachets, potpourris, or holiday wreaths. Even the flowers are edible, adding a touch of sweetness to salads or as a garnish. Traditionally, rosemary has been linked to memory enhancement, and wearing a sprig in your hair was once thought to aid concentration. Its low-maintenance, evergreen nature makes it ideal for both beginner and seasoned gardeners.

This handy perennial thrives in light, well-draining soils like loam or sandy loam, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Once it gets off the ground, it tolerates drought and partial shade. Avoid consistently wet conditions, which can stress the plant. Hardy in USDA Zones 8a through 10b, gardeners in warmer areas can plant it directly in the ground, while those in cooler zones may prefer container planting to shield it from frost by bringing it indoors.

Choose young nursery plants for faster results, as rosemary seeds are slow to germinate. Space shrubs 2 to 3 feet apart for airflow and disease prevention. Water consistently during establishment, then let soil dry slightly between watering. Annual pruning, before new growth appears, keeps the plant shapely, removes woody stems, and encourages bushier growth. Regularly harvesting young tips provides flavorful cooking ingredients, while keeping the plant tidy.

Rosemary pairs beautifully with other Mediterranean plants like thyme, sage, lavender, and oregano. These companions thrive in similar conditions, repel pests, and attract pollinators. Planting them alongside each other forms a cluster of drought-tolerant herbs you can grow together for a thriving garden. This makes your fall-planted rosemary a valuable addition to your yard, while giving you an evergreen presence and fresh herb sprigs for your kitchen all winter long.