Mini Rosemary Tree

Full direct sun outside (6-8 hrs.) Indoors bright direct sun near a southern or eastern window or in a greenhouse where humidity is high to average.

When the soil dries out thoroughly use filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough that the water discharges out of the drainage holes.  Once the water is fully drained, replace it into the cache or decorative pot. 

Indoors: This plant is an origin of the Mediterranean coastal environment so maintain the humidity levels to 45-55%.

Indoors: 55-80°F Air circulation is vital to prevent mold and mildew spores from forming on the leaves.
Outdoors: This plant is a perennial in planting zones 6-10 and can tolerate winter weather down to -10°F.

Outdoors full sun (6-8 hrs.) where nights don't get below  -10°F. Indoors in bright direct sun areas in a southern or eastern window. When bringing indoors, cut back by 1/3 to overwinter.

Fertilize once a year in spring.

Indoors: 

When the plant is rootbound or there is dieback on their growth, then they are ready to repot (early spring before growth starts), plant in a 2" bigger container in diameter and slightly deeper than the existing planter. 

Use an indoor container mix that is well-draining. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. 

Lift the plant and inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling and trim away 10-20% of the root mass. Trim up the side of the root ball so new roots will form. 

Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. 

Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Do not cover the current level of soil on the plant but add soil up to this level. 

Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. Add more soil after watering if the soil settles.

Outdoors: 

Before planting or repotting in a container, water the plant in the grower pot well. 

Find a spot in the garden where there are at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. 

Be generous by digging a hole twice the pot's width and 1 inch shorter than the grower pot to raise them above the soil level for good drainage. 

Use a pitchfork or a sharp object to stab the soil walls to make several indentions for the roots to take hold. 

Tickle the roots to loosen them if they wrap inside the container.

Place the plant in the center of the hole. 

Fill the hole with water first, so the roots get another good drink.

Next, backfill with native soil mixed with compost by one third to one half (if the native soil is clay). 

Add a rooting hormone fertilizer to this backfill mixture. Tamp the soil firmly down around the edges and mound up. Avoid covering the original soil level of the plant that was in the container. 

Add mulch as needed but not next to the stem or branches of the plant. 

Water lightly. Continue to observe the soil moisture each day, depending on the temperatures and soil drainage.

Throughout the spring and summer months outdoors, use pruning shears to trim back browning leaves or damaged stems on the plant. Never prune back to the older woody stem as they will not grow back. Clean the soil of debris around the base of the plant and replenish the soil as needed. Inspect for pests or diseases and treat. When pruning for culinary uses, take off no more than 5 inches of leaves. During colder months, a hard pruning (when the plant is dormant) to about half to maintain their size is permissible as long as they are not pruned back to where there are no leaves.

Trim 3-4 inches off young shoots (without flowers) from the plant in the early morning when it's hydrated. Remove any lower leaves to contain the moisture in the stem. Trim right below the leaf node (where the leaf has sprouted). Use hormone rooting powder to dip the tips of the stems into to coat. Fill pots with a damp rooting soil mix that is well-draining with grit and compost mixed into it. Insert each stem in individual tray modules or small containers with drainage. Cover rosemary with a clear plastic bag to retain moisture and leave in a sheltered place with bright, indirect light. Check every two weeks for root development. Keep compost moist as the roots develop. Fertilize with a diluted rooting fertilizer solution periodically.  Pot into a container or plant in the garden the following spring. Begin the hardening off (acclimating to the outside) stage by placing the plant outdoors in a protected spot a few hours per day when temperatures are above 45°F. Increase the outdoor exposure each day by the amount of time so they can adjust. Do more and more time each day and observe the breezes, day and night temperatures and avoid any extremes. This process might take from 1-2 weeks to acclimate your new rosemary plants. Enjoy and share with your culinary foodies!