How to Care for a Rosemary Christmas Tree

Rosemary Christmas trees are a popular holiday gift and a favorite of home chefs. They are easy to care for and add a fresh herbal flavor to any dish.

Rosemary can be identified by its white, pink, or blue, bell-shaped blooms, and fresh scent. Moreover, they have short, evergreen-colored leaves that range from 2-4 centimeters long.

Impart a fresh herb fragrance by lightly brushing the soft branches with your hand. Doing so will release a lovely herbal scent throughout your home.

Furthermore, a rosemary tree is a perennial herb plant that makes for an attractive kitchen accent. Not only do they make for a good, decorative piece, but you can also have fresh rosemary to season a variety of savory foods.

Are the leaves of rosemary trees edible?

Yes. Rosemary trees are just rosemary plants shaped into a Christmas tree shape.

In the kitchen, rosemary leaves are used as a seasoning in recipes for chicken, pork, and fish.

Moreover, rosemary is a common ingredient for soups, stews, yeast bread, and herb butter. In addition, the branches of your rosemary tree can be used as skewers when grilling outdoors.

How much sun does a rosemary tree need?

Rosemary is an evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean. With this in mind, make sure your rosemary plant is placed in a sunny and warm environment.

So, try and place your rosemary tree near a sunny window since they thrive in sunlight. Plus, depending on your region and climate, you can set the plant outside in the full sun.

However, if the weather forecast predicts temperatures below 40 degrees, bring your rosemary tree inside.

How often should I water my rosemary tree?

Water your rosemary tree every week or two. However, water your plant regularly so the soil stays moist but not soggy.

How often should I prune to keep the Christmas tree (conical) shape?

Prune a potted rosemary tree every few weeks to retain its ‘pine tree’ shape. Here’s how:

1. Gather the branches together at the top of the plant.
2. Place a rubber band around the branches. Then wrap a rubber band around the top one-third of the branches, bunching them together as you trim.
3. Trim any branches that stick out from the base of the plant so they will blend in. With this in mind, save rosemary trimmings for cooking.
4. Trim the plant evenly by turning the plant pot as you work.
5. To maintain a Christmas tree shape, leave the base of the plant full while gradually tapering the branches toward the top.
6. After pruning, mist the foliage.
7. Repeat the above steps every few weeks.
8. Form and trim the plant from spring to fall. Trim lightly during the winter months.

Tip: Leave a rubber band near the top third of the plant. This helps to train top branches into a cone shape.

Can I grow a rosemary tree year-round?

Yes. Post-holiday, your rosemary Christmas tree will most likely need to be repotted.

Repot your rosemary tree into a slightly larger container and use a light, well-draining potting mix. Or, depending on where you live, you can plant it in your garden.

Continue to trim and shape the plant during the growing season or allow the branches to grow naturally.

How much do rosemary trees cost?

You can find rosemary trees for sale at grocery stores, garden centers, and floral shops. Correspondingly, prices range from $35 to $65 depending on the size.

How can I decorate a rosemary Christmas tree for the holidays?

Here are a few ways to dress up your rosemary tree for the holidays:

• Cover the container with a decorative foil or cloth cover. Then, place a bow on the front.
• Light up your rosemary tree by draping a string of fairy lights among the branches.
• Similarly, you can drape strings of lightweight beads or hang mini ornaments.
• Tie lengths of colorful yarn or narrow ribbon to each branch to make small bows. In addition, make a loop bow to decorate the top.
• Add holiday-themed plant picks.

Can I plant a rosemary tree in the garden after the holidays?

Depending on your planting zone, you may be able to transplant your rosemary tree in the garden. Home repair expert, Bob Vila says, “Rosemary is a perennial herb that remains evergreen in many climates. Its woody stems and fragrant leaves serve as a complement to many other plants common in landscape designs. Rosemary blooms in early spring and can be pruned all year to provide fresh herbs for your kitchen creations.”

Tips for growing rosemary in the garden:

• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is winter hardy to USDA Zone 8-10.
• This herbaceous perennial thrives in a light, slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
• Rosemary doesn’t grow well in heavy, clay soil.
• It prefers a location where it can receive full sun but can tolerate light shade.
• Water moderately. Do not overwater as it will encourage root rot.
• Mature plants can withstand limited drought.
• Encourage thicker foliage by pruning branches after bloom.

Did you know? In addition to rosemary, herbs like bay laurel and greek myrtle can be trimmed into a ‘pine tree’ shape. This makes for a perfect gift for the holidays- especially for the gardeners or chefs in your life.