6. Rosemary – Since rosemary is slow to germinate with beginning growth slow as well, it is better to purchase plants from a local nursery. But be prepared for a surprise. Depending on the variety, a mature rosemary plant can reach 4 to 6 feet in height. So be careful in choosing plants for your indoor herb garden. Google “How many varieties of rosemary are there” I found one reference to 63 varieties in one garden. 

Rosemary is member of the mint family and another Mediterranean native. It is a very aromatic plant. Flowers are generally purple but some varieties produce a white flower. This is one herb that can brighten your home and make it smell better too. Rosemary does well on almost no water.  Outdoors Rosemary can do well on only 12 inches of water a year. Use a water meter or stick a pencil into the pot. If the pencil comes out with just a few crumbs of soil stuck to it, water the plant with room temperature water to avoid shock. Make sure not to overwater. If rosemary is critically dry, it will turn yellow. Rosemary is difficult to grow indoors due to lack of humidity. If there is a lack of good indoor humidity, Rosemary leaves may turn black starting at the tip and dry up back to the leaf root. Then the leaf will fall off the plant. If you mist the plant, make sure there is adequate room ventilation or use a fan to dry the leaves and prevent any powdery mildew starting. Powdery mildew is a grayish white fungus.

Starting – Rosemary should be started from cuttings of about 3 inches. Better yet, purchase a plant or two from a local nursery. For indoor growing, choose a variety that does not reach 4 to 6 feet and as wide when mature. Blue Spires or Herb Cottage are two such varieties that top out about 18 to 24 inches and spread out.  

Gorizia or Spice Island varieties produce high harvests of leaves for pesto or drying.

Tuscan Blue has a nice flavor for table use but will grow to 48 inches.

Tuscan Blue is also prone to low humidity problems growing indoors in winter. (Leaves dry up and fall off if room humidity is too low.)