Rosemary should, if possible, be kept in sufficiently large pots, as most rosemary varieties are not hardy and therefore not suitable for planting in the garden. The advantage of potted plants is simply that they are more mobile and can be transported indoors in persistent bad weather and in winter.
How do you care for rosemary in a pot?
Rosemary in a pot requires a sufficiently large planter, permeable and lean substrate (e.g. potting soil and sand mixture in a 1:1 ratio), expanded clay for water drainage and a sunny location. In winter the plant should be kept cool and frost-free; waterlogging must be avoided at all costs.
Potting rosemary
You should repot rosemary plants that you have just purchased as quickly as possible - the plant pots in which the herbs are sold are simply too small. Choose a sufficiently large planter that should be about a third larger than the plant. If possible, the pot should be made of a natural material such as clay, as moisture evaporates more easily. Moisture cannot escape from a plastic or other plastic container, which in turn increases the risk of waterlogging.
Procedure for potting
First of all, mix the planting substrate, which should be as permeable and lean as possible. A mixture of conventional potting soil and sand in a 1:1 ratio is ideal. At the bottom of the pot is a layer of expanded clay several centimeters thick, which ensures that excess water drains away in a controlled manner. Fill the top with the specially mixed herb soil, but initially only up to about the lower third or half of the pot - the specific filling level depends on how much space the roots of the plant need.
- Now gently tap the planter all around to loosen the soil from the walls.
- Now support the plant between your thumb and forefinger and turn the container over.
- Carefully pull out the rosemary.
- Now shake off the soil.
- Inspect the roots for injuries and signs of rot.
- Cut away the diseased parts, including those above ground, with a clean and sharp knife.
- Now put the rosemary in the pot, but still hold it firmly.
- Fill all voids with soil.
- Do not place the plant deeper than it was in the plant pot.
- Shake the new pot a little to seal any remaining voids.
- Press the plant well.
- Water them.
Care for potted rosemary
Basically, rosemary in the pot doesn't need much care. Fertilization is not necessary for freshly planted rosemaries because the purchased substrate is already pre-fertilized. The pot should be placed in a sunny, protected place in the garden or on the balcony. Rosemary is not suitable as a houseplant and should be kept outside at least in summer. Water the plant more frequently during the growing season, but not too much - rosemary does not tolerate waterlogging at all. In winter the rosemary overwinters in a bright but cool and frost-free place.
Tips & Tricks
If possible, use potting or herb soil to mix the substrate. These are usually pre-fertilized organically, while balcony plant or potting soil usually contains artificial fertilizers and is therefore not suitable for edible herbs such as rosemary.
