A Complete Guide to Rosemary Kinds: Types, Uses, and How to Choose

So you're thinking about growing rosemary. Maybe you saw a tiny plant at the garden center, or a recipe called for a sprig, and it got you curious. You type "rosemary kinds" into a search, and suddenly you're down a rabbit hole. Upright? Trailing? Hardy to what zone? It can feel like a lot.

I remember my first rosemary plant. I bought it because it smelled nice, stuck it in a pot, and watched it turn brown in a matter of weeks. I had no idea I'd chosen a tender variety totally unsuited to my damp, chilly winters. I just thought I had a black thumb.

Turns out, that's a common frustration. The secret isn't just in how you care for it, but in which one you start with. Picking the right rosemary kind for your specific spot—your climate, your space, your cooking style—is the real game-changer. It's the difference between a struggling twig and a thriving, fragrant bush you can harvest from for years.

The Big Split: Upright vs. Trailing Rosemary Kinds

Before we dive into names, let's sort them by how they grow. This is the first, most obvious choice you'll make.

Upright Rosemary Kinds: These are your classic, shrubby rosemary plants. They grow upwards and outwards, forming a dense, bushy shape. Think of the stereotypical rosemary plant—this is it. They're fantastic for hedging, as a standalone garden shrub, or in a large container. Most of the famous culinary varieties fall into this group. They tend to have stiffer, more upright stems.

Trailing or Prostrate Rosemary Kinds: These are the sprawlers. Their stems grow long and tend to cascade downwards rather than up. They're absolutely perfect for hanging baskets, spilling over the edges of raised beds or stone walls, or as a fragrant ground cover in hot, dry areas. Their flavor is just as good, but their growth habit opens up entirely different uses in the garden.

Which one calls to you? The formal chef's herb, or the relaxed, cascading beauty?

Meet the Major Players: A Handy Guide to Popular Rosemary Varieties

Alright, let's get to the names and faces. This table should help you compare some of the most common and sought-after rosemary kinds at a glance. I've grown most of these myself, so I'll toss in my two cents where it matters.

See? Already you can start to match a plant to a need. Need a hardy survivor? Arp. Have a hot, dry slope? Prostratus. Want the best flavor for your roast chicken? Spice Islands or Tuscan Blue.

Choosing Your Champion: What Really Matters Beyond the Name

The name is just the start. When you're actually holding a plant or reading a catalog description, here's what you should be eyeballing.

Climate and Hardiness is Everything

This is the big one, the mistake I made. Most rosemary kinds originate from the Mediterranean. They love sun, heat, and well-drained, almost gritty soil. What they universally despise is "wet feet," especially in cold weather. Root rot is a silent killer.

The USDA Hardiness Zone is your best guide, but treat it as a guideline, not a guarantee. A plant rated for zone 7 might thrive in a warm, sheltered, well-drained zone 7 microclimate but perish in a wet, windy one. If you're in a colder zone (like 6 or even 5), your options are limited to the toughest cultivars like Arp and Salem, and you must provide perfect drainage and maybe even winter protection. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the official resource to check your zone.

Flavor and Culinary Use

Yes, they all taste like rosemary, but there are nuances. Some, like Spice Islands, are notoriously potent. Others, like Gorizia, are milder and sweeter. Most general-purpose upright kinds like Tuscan Blue offer that balanced, classic flavor profile that works in 95% of recipes.

If you're an avid cook, seeking out a known culinary variety is worth it. The oil content and flavor complexity are often noticeably better. For the occasional user, any healthy, aromatic plant will do the job just fine.

Size and Space in Your Garden

Don't just think about the little 4-inch pot you buy. Some rosemary kinds, like a mature Gorizia, can become a beast—4 feet tall and 6 feet wide or more. Others, like Salem, stay more compact. The trailing kinds don't get tall, but they can spread aggressively. Always check the mature dimensions and give it room to breathe. Good air circulation prevents fungal issues.

How to Keep Your Rosemary Happy (It's Easier Than You Think)

Once you've picked the right rosemary kind for your place, the care is pretty straightforward. They're not fussy if their basic needs are met.

Sun: Full sun. Non-negotiable. At least 6-8 hours of direct sun. More is better.

Soil: Think "fast-draining." Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. If you have heavy clay, you must amend it heavily with compost and coarse sand or grit, or better yet, build a raised bed. For pots, use a quality potting mix and add a handful of perlite or pumice.

Water: Water deeply but infrequently. Let the soil dry out quite a bit between waterings. Stick your finger in the soil—if it's damp an inch down, wait. In winter, cut back watering significantly. Overwatering is the #1 cause of death.

Feeding: They're not heavy feeders. A light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer in early spring is plenty. Too much fertilizer leads to soft, weak growth and less flavor.

Pruning: This is key for a bushy, attractive plant. Don't just pluck the tips. Use sharp shears to actually shape it, cutting back into the woody stems by a few inches after flowering or in early spring. Regular harvesting for the kitchen doubles as pruning! Never cut back into bare, leafless wood—it often won't regrow from there.

Answers to the Questions You're Probably Asking

Let's tackle some of the real-world stuff that pops up.

Can I grow rosemary from seed?

You can, but I don't recommend it for most home gardeners. Rosemary seeds have notoriously low and slow germination. It takes forever, and the resulting plant is a genetic lottery—it won't be a true copy of a named variety like 'Arp' or 'Tuscan Blue'. For true-to-type plants with the characteristics you want (like cold hardiness or specific flavor), you want a plant grown from a cutting or division. It's faster and reliable. The University of Minnesota Extension has a great guide on starting herbs, and they confirm that rosemary is best from cuttings.

What's the absolute hardiest rosemary?

Hands down, Arp consistently gets the crown. Salem, Madalene Hill, and Athens Blue Spire are also frequently mentioned in the "cold-tolerant rosemary kinds" conversation. But remember, hardiness isn't just about temperature—it's about surviving winter *wetness*. Good drainage is just as important as the thermometer reading.

I have a small balcony. Which rosemary kind is best?

Container gardening is perfect for rosemary. For small spaces, look for more compact upright varieties like Salem or Blue Boy. Or, go for the beautiful cascading effect of a trailing kind like Prostratus or Blue Lagoon in a hanging basket. Just make sure the pot is deep enough (at least 12 inches) and has excellent drainage holes.

Why did my rosemary die over the winter?

Join the club. It's almost never the cold air alone that kills them. It's the combination of cold *and* wet soil. The roots rot. Or, a late frost hits the new, tender spring growth. This is why choosing a hardy variety and ensuring brutal, perfect drainage is the holy grail of rosemary success in cooler climates.

Are all rosemary kinds edible?

Generally, yes. All cultivars of Rosmarinus officinalis are considered edible and non-toxic. However, some are bred specifically for ornamental qualities (like extra-showy flowers) and may not have the best flavor. They won't hurt you, but they might not make your stew taste amazing. For cooking, stick to varieties known for their culinary merit.

Final Thoughts: It's About the Right Fit

Looking at all these rosemary kinds, it's easy to get overwhelmed. My advice? Simplify it.

First, be brutally honest about your climate. That will immediately narrow the field. Then, decide on the form—do you want a shrub or a spiller? Finally, think about your primary use: a kitchen workhorse, a hardy landscape plant, or a decorative showpiece.

There is no single "best" rosemary. There's only the best rosemary *for you and your garden*. The incredible diversity of rosemary kinds is a gift, not a complication. It means there's almost certainly one out there that will thrive in your corner of the world and bring you years of fragrance, flavor, and beauty.

Start with one. Learn its quirks. Maybe you'll kill it—I've killed my share. But when you find that perfect match, the one that shrugs off your winters and provides endless sprigs for your roasting pan, it feels like a real gardening victory. And honestly, that first successful harvest of your own homegrown rosemary? It tastes better than anything you can buy.

Go find your perfect rosemary match.