Rosemary after winter: How to save the king of herbs

Rosemary is often the first herb you check after winter, wondering if it survived the frost. You may see gray, dry twigs and needles falling off at the slightest touch. Don’t panic at first glance. Even though the above-ground part may look destroyed, the roots are usually still alive and ready to sprout new shoots.

How to revive rosemary after winter?

First, take a pair of scissors (or just your fingernails) and try a simple test – lightly scrape the bark on a twig. If it is green underneath, you’re in luck. If it is brown and dry, this part will probably not recover. But don’t rush into radical pruning in February. It is best to wait until March or April, when there is no longer a risk of severe frost and the plant is beginning to wake up.

Photo: Radek Stepan

When and how to prune rosemary to revive it

Don’t rush into action. If your rosemary has frozen over the winter, wait to prune it until you see the first signs of new buds (usually in April). Only then will you know which branches are truly dead. Feel free to cut off the dry and brittle parts down to where the healthy, green wood begins. Don’t be afraid to be thorough, but avoid cutting deep into old, completely woody stems with no signs of life – new shoots often don’t sprout there. If the damage is only partial, a slight pruning is sufficient to encourage branching and thickening.

• Radical pruning down to the ground is risky. It may work for younger plants, but older shrubs may not survive such an intervention. The golden rule applies: less is better than more.

Frozen rosemary needs time, warmth, and care

Even if your rosemary has frozen, don’t be hasty. It often looks completely lifeless, but it may sprout from the bottom at the beginning of May. So, if the roots have not been exposed to prolonged freezing, the chances of rescue are surprisingly high. Provide it with well-drained soil and drainage. Overwatering is a greater threat after winter than drought. If you grow it in a pot, check that the water drains freely. You can lightly loosen the substrate and add a little sand. Wait to fertilize until you see new shoots – usually late April to May.

Tip: Herbs can be easily plant at home. It’s not complicated.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about saving rosemary after winter

How can you tell if rosemary sprigs are healthy?

Just scrape off a little bark. If the pith is green, you’re good to go.

When should you prune rosemary?

Before the buds appear.

Is radical pruning worthwhile?

Probably not, less is better than more.

Sources of information: Author-grower

Preview photo and photo gallery: Radek Stepan