To understand my watering needs, you must first understand where I come from. I am a child of the Mediterranean, thriving in sunny, arid climates with well-draining, often rocky or sandy, soil. My roots are adapted to seek moisture deep in the ground and are highly susceptible to rot if left sitting in waterlogged earth. My leaves are small, leathery, and covered in tiny hairs—adaptations that minimize water loss. Therefore, the golden rule for my care is: I will always tolerate and prefer being slightly too dry rather than too wet. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill me.
As the days lengthen and temperatures gently rise in spring, I begin my primary growth phase. This is when I am most actively producing new, tender stems and leaves. Your watering should support this growth but remain cautious. Check my soil by sticking your finger about two inches deep. If it feels dry at that depth, it is time for a thorough, deep watering. Ensure the water flows freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot, then allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. In garden beds with excellent drainage, rainfall may often be sufficient, but monitor me during dry spells.
Summer is my season of glory, but the intense sun and heat can stress my system. Evaporation happens rapidly. During hot, dry periods, you will need to check my moisture levels more frequently, perhaps every few days. I will likely need a deep watering once or twice a week, but always let the soil be your guide, not the calendar. The same finger test applies—water only when the top two inches of soil are dry. Please water me at the base, near the soil, and avoid wetting my foliage, as this can promote fungal diseases under the humid, hot conditions.
As the air turns crisp in autumn, my growth slows down significantly. I begin to prepare for dormancy, and my water requirements drop accordingly. The combination of cooler temperatures, reduced sunlight, and potentially more rainfall means the soil will stay moist for much longer. You must drastically reduce the frequency of your watering. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. In many climates, natural precipitation will be all I need. Your main job now is to protect me from getting too wet, especially if I am planted in the ground and autumn rains are persistent.
This is the most critical season to neglect me properly. I am largely dormant, and my roots are virtually inactive in cold, wet soil. Overwatering now is a death sentence. For potted rosemary indoors, the soil should be allowed to become quite dry before receiving a very modest drink. I require just enough water to prevent my roots from desiccating completely. This might mean watering only once every two to four weeks, depending on the warmth and humidity of your home. For garden plants, I rely almost exclusively on natural rainfall and snow melt, and I am equipped to handle winter drought.
