Rosmarinus officinalis

Romero (Rosmarinus officinalis) — arbusto mediterráneo perennifolio de hojas aciculares y fragantes, con un intenso sabor aromático. Tolerante a la sequía y de larga vida.

Rosmarinus officinalis — rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis, the classic rosemary, is an evergreen Mediterranean shrub whose needle-like leaves release a powerful, pine-and-resin fragrance and a robust savoury flavour. Aromatic, drought-loving and long-lived, it is the botanical heart of our rosemary range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Rosemary is native to the rocky, sun-baked coasts of the Mediterranean, and has been entwined with human culture for millennia. The Greeks and Romans associated it with memory and fidelity — students wore sprigs while studying — and it has long featured at weddings and remembrances alike as a symbol that “rosemary is for remembrance.”

Its name evokes that seaside home: it is usually traced to the Latin ros marinus, meaning “dew of the sea,” a poetic description of a shrub that thrives on salt-sprayed Mediterranean cliffs.

Botanical characteristics

Rosemary forms a woody, upright evergreen shrub that can reach 1–1.5 m, with narrow, leathery, dark green needle-like leaves and small pale blue flowers that appear from late winter and are adored by early bees. The whole plant is intensely aromatic, the leaves holding their flavour superbly when dried. Tough and woody, it sits among our perennial herbs and our drought-tolerant herbs.

Growing Rosmarinus officinalis from seed

Rosemary is slow and sometimes erratic from seed, so patience is the key. Sow in spring in gritty, free-draining compost, barely cover the seed, and keep it warm and bright — germination can take several weeks. Give young plants full sun and sharp drainage, and avoid wet, heavy soil. Once established it is exceptionally tough, drought-tolerant and long-lived, thriving in borders, gravel gardens and large pots. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow rosemary? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Rosemary · Culinary Herbs · Perennial Herbs · Drought-Tolerant Herbs · All Herb Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

¿Qué es Rosmarinus officinalis?
Es el nombre botánico del romero, un arbusto mediterráneo aromático y perennifolio con hojas aciculares y un sabor robusto y resinoso. ¿Es fácil cultivar el romero a partir de semilla?
Requiere paciencia. El romero germina lentamente y a veces de forma irregular, así que siembra en sustrato arenoso, cubre la semilla apenas y mantenla caliente durante varias semanas. ¿Qué condiciones necesita el romero?
Sol pleno y drenaje rápido. No tolera suelos húmedos y pesados, y es muy resistente a la sequía una vez establecido; se adapta bien a macetas y jardines de grava. ¿Cuándo florece el romero?
Sus pequeñas flores azul pálido pueden aparecer desde finales del invierno hasta la primavera, ofreciendo una valiosa fuente temprana de néctar para las abejas.