When to Plant Rosemary in Cairns — Tropical Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Iconic Mediterranean evergreen shrub with intensely aromatic needle-like leaves. Extremely drought-tolerant once established. HATES wet feet and humidity - root rot kills more rosemary in Australia than anything else. Forms a woody shrub 1-1.5m tall. Long-lived (10+ years) in suitable conditions. Upright and prostrate forms available.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 25.2°C (optimal range: 15–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
How to Grow Rosemary in Tropical Australia
When to Plant
Plant in dry season (May-Sep). Marginal zone for rosemary.
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean, slightly alkaline soil. Sandy or gravelly. Does NOT want rich soil.
- pH Range
- 6.5-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Minimum 6 hours. More = better.
- Spacing
- 100cm apart, 120cm between rows
- Watering
- Minimal once established. Water young plants weekly until rooted. Established plants need almost no supplementary water in temperate zones. OVERWATERING KILLS ROSEMARY.
Companion plants: Sage, Thyme, Lavender, Beans, Cabbage, Carrot
Avoid planting near: Mint, Basil (different water needs)
Tropical Growing Tips for Rosemary
Recommended Varieties
- Tuscan Blue (upright, vigorous)
- Prostrate rosemary (slightly more humidity tolerant)
Key Challenges
- Root rot from humidity and wet
- Dieback in wet season
- Poor drainage is fatal
Pro Tips
- Terracotta pot with very sandy/gritty mix is the ONLY reliable option
- Elevate pot for drainage
- Move under cover during wet season
Harvesting Rosemary
When ready: Harvest from established plants (6+ months old). Evergreen - available year-round.
How to harvest: Snip 10-15cm stem tips. Never cut into old leafless wood - it won't regrow. Always cut above green growth.
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