How to Grow Creeping Rosemary

Rosemary Is one of the most popular herbs used in Cuisine and aromatherapy. Also called Prostrate Rosemary, the creeping variety is a low-growing perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean. 

Creeping Rosemary Appearance

Rosemary Prostratus features a creeping growth habit with needle-like foliage growing from woody stems. This low-growing variety works well for indoor growth in pots. Like the larger varieties, Prostrate Rosemary features gray-green leaves that are slightly fleshy and lend a distinct, savory flavor to dishes. 

Rosemary Prostrate Sunlight Requirements

Provide full sun for at least 6 hours per day for your Rosemary Prostrate. A place on a bright windowsill with all-day light is ideal. Placing the plant in a sunroom also works well. If providing that much sunlight per day is not possible, use an LED grow light to supplement. Up to 14 hours of light from a grow light is acceptable.

Watering Your Prostrate Rosemary

Allow the surface of the soil to dry between waterings. With all Rosemary varieties, underwatering the plant is better than overwatering. Creeping Rosemary, as with other Rosemary types, prefers receiving some of its moisture through its foliage. Mist the leaves once every 10 days to keep them hydrated for cooking. 

Soil and Fertilizer Needs

Grow your Creeping Rosemary in a well-draining, loose soil type. A cactus soil or potting soil amended with sand works well. Feed the plant with a liquid, organic fertilizer, once per month, in the spring and summer. Withhold feedings in the fall and winter. 

Temperature and Humidity Levels

Rosemary Prostrata adapts well to many growing environments. Temperatures between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 26 Celsius) are acceptable. Even exposure to temperatures as low as 40F (4C) will likely not harm the plant. Provide balanced humidity for your Creeping Rosemary. Too little dehydrated the leaves, resulting in weak flavor, while too much humidity often results in powdery mildew on the foliage. A humidity level between 40 to 50 percent works well. 

Harvesting Your Creeping Rosemary

Frequent harvesting encourages a bushier plant. Trim the woody stems to encourage new growth of softer stems. Use the leaves fresh whenever possible. Fresh stems can be used as skewers to impart a hint of flavor. For storing the leaves, dry them by tying bunches of stems together and hanging them upside down in a cool, dark place. Once the leaves have dried, remove them from the stems and store in an airtight container. 

Propagating Rosemary Prostrate

Propagate any type of Rosemary with stem cuttings. Snip a fresh (pliable)  stem approximately 4 inches long and strip off the bottom leaves. Place the stem in a small container of water so the lower, exposed nodes are immersed but the top leaves are not. Place the container in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Change the water every 3 to 4 days. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a loose soil type once the cutting has grown its own root system reaching 2 to 3 inches long.

Common Pests and Diseases

Aphids, Mealybugs, and scale are common pests found on Creeping Rosemary. These insects are visible on the leaves and stems of infested plants. Also present will be sticky honeydew, which the insects excrete after feeding on the plant. Rinse the plant thoroughly with a spray nozzle or in the shower to remove the insects without the use of chemicals. For stubborn infestations, use neem oil to treat the entire plant. 

Powdery mildew and fungal disease are common diseases with Rosemary. Both are avoided by providing proper air circulation and not watering the plant overhead.

Prostrate Rosemary lends the same distinct, savory flavor to foods but takes up less room than the larger shrub varieties. Rosemary is a hardy plant and will adapt well to most conditions it is placed in. Try growing this easy, Creeping Rosemary along with your houseplants.

Creeping Rosemary FAQ