I have a question: Has anyone here succeeded in growing rosemary from seed? I have one little plant - it’s tiny - that’s about a year old. It seemed to be dying a couple of months ago (because of overwatering) but it’s still going; it has some little leaves coming out and stuff. I know they’re like that but I’m hoping it’s still alive. I started with about 6-7 from seed. There were two up until a short time ago; one finally showed that it was really dead. (It’s always so hard to tell.) I have had limited success (meaning the plant lasted for more than 3 years) with root stock but that’s not really success since I’ve seen these plants with trunks like 3” in diameter.
Any of the ‘woody’ herbs are hard to start from seed. Professional greenhouses and nurseries propagate those plants from cuttings.
It CAN be done, but you need the patience of a Saint! Please remember; Burpee IS trying to sell you seed, so they will make it sound easy. It is not.
https://www.burpee.com/blog/how-to-grow-rosemary-from-seed_article10491.html
As for the plants you have already, I am having great success this year with Rosemary I’ve brought indoors because I finally figured out that they need to be sitting in a tray of water for humidity, and they need weekly misting as well as weekly watering. And a south-facing window or supplemental light from a grow light.
This is the first time in my long ‘career’ of trying to over-winter Rosemary (In Zone 4/5) that I’ve had any success.
And I are a Paid Perfeshinal! :)
I have but it is difficult and yes, they do not like overwatering.
You can take cuttings and dip them in rooting hormone.
I have had better luck that way.
I kept my plants in the sun, a very cool room, and barely water it and it’s doing just fine.
Diana has given a great answer. I just would add that if you are in a northern climate, it would add to a challenge. I am in west Michigan. Many things are tough to grow from seed early enough for outside gardening. Even with heating pads and lights. Some things I just buy plants every year.
Yes. I tossed som heirloom seeds I had in the shed in a pot outside around March. In this area that gets a little freeze followed by spring. It grew a healthy bush for the year. I dried a bunch. Some of it went to to seed and I pushed it into the dirt in the pot. See what next year brings. I have plenty saved to make my Shepherds pie next month.