Rosemary Christmas Trees

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Tis the season for adorable rosemary Christmas trees. These are the rage– multitasking as holiday décor, air fresheners, and seasoning for yummy dishes. The price point is hard to beat – with prices ranging around $10 for a foot or taller specimen in many stores.   (photo Jackson and Perkins)

So how did rosemary land on the Christmas merchandising shelves? Here is one of the many legends I discovered while doing research:

*There are many legends surrounding Rosemary…one being that it was used to awaken Sleeping Beauty…but perhaps the best known is one which states that the plant will never grow taller than the height of Christ and, if it outlives the 33 years of Jesus’ life, will grow outward rather than upward. Rosefarm.com
But now on to reality. How to care for the recently purchased rosemary Christmas tree so it becomes a legend in your family tree. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region. Translation: they require lots of sun and well-drained soil (think sandy) and are only winter hardy in Zones 7 – 10. If you have long term plans for the tree, versus treating it as a disposable knick-knack, then remove the colorful foil from the pot right from the get-go. This allows better airflow around the roots. After the holiday, replant the rosemary tree in a larger container. A terra cotta pot is a good choice as it’s porous and tends to draw moisture from the potting medium. Be sure to use high quality potting soil, such as Espoma’s organic products. Place the tree in the sunniest window possible – ideally south facing. (photo the Vegetable Gardener)

DON’T OVERWATER! Only water when the top inch or so of soil is dry. This may mean watering once a week, perhaps even less. If you have a tray under the container, dump out any residual collected water. Don’t wet the leaves when watering.

SPARE THE FERTILIZER! Rosemary, like many herbs and Mediterranean plants, like a lean soil, not fat in nutrients.

MISERABLE MITES AND POWDERY FUNGUS! These can be issues for indoor rosemary plants. Make sure there is good air circulation round the plant and again, don’t overwater.

For more on how to lovingly care for your holiday Rosemary tree, click on this link to Gardening Know How.