As a rosemary plant, I am a sun-loving, woody-stemmed perennial native to the dry, rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean. My watering needs are a direct reflection of my origins. To truly understand how often I need water, you must listen to me and my environment, not a rigid calendar schedule. Here is what I wish to tell you.
My most fundamental need is for excellent drainage and to dry out significantly between waterings. My roots are highly susceptible to rot in consistently moist, heavy soil. The single greatest threat to my life indoors is overwatering. When my roots sit in water, they suffocate and die, leading to a wilted, brown, and ultimately fatal decline. It is always safer to underwater me than to overwater me.
Do not water me simply because the surface of my soil looks dry. The surface dries out very quickly. Instead, you must check deeper. The best method is the finger test. Push your finger about 2-3 inches into the soil near my base. If the soil at that depth feels completely dry and crumbly, and no soil sticks to your finger, then I am ready for a drink. If it feels even slightly cool or damp, please wait. For a more precise approach, you could use a wooden chopstick or a moisture meter to gauge the dampness deep in the pot.
My water consumption is not constant; it changes with my environment. The season is a major factor. During the spring and summer, when the days are longer and brighter, I am in my active growth phase. With more light and warmer temperatures, I photosynthesize more and use water more quickly. You may need to water me every 1 to 2 weeks. In the fall and winter, I enter a period of dormancy. Growth slows dramatically due to lower light levels and cooler temperatures. My soil will take much longer to dry out, stretching the time between waterings to every 3 to 6 weeks, or even longer.
Other crucial factors include the size and material of my pot (terra cotta breathes and dries out faster than plastic or ceramic), the amount of sunlight I receive (a south-facing window makes me thirstier than a north-facing one), and the humidity and temperature of the room (hot, dry air from heating vents accelerates drying).
When it is finally time to water, please do so thoroughly. Take me to the sink and slowly pour room-temperature water over my soil until you see water flowing freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures my entire root system has received moisture. Crucially, let all the excess water drain away completely before returning me to my saucer or decorative pot. Never, ever let me sit in a saucer of standing water.
