Rosemary Plant Not Thriving in Houston, Texas
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Gouri Srinivasan
Posted on: February 21, 2007

This is my first year growing my own herbs in Houston, Texas, USA and so far I have really enjoyed the experience and am learning a lot. I was told by everyone that rosemary is a very easy herb to grow, but unfortunately I am not having too much luck. I am growing it in a pot and it is placed in a sunny location outside. I water it when it gets a little dry - not completely. While the leaves in the center are growing taller, the ones on the sides are turning brown. What can I do? Is it too late to save this plant?

You might have to water a bit more frequently since your summers are very hot and drying. Rosemary roots cannot tolerate either drying out or being too wet. Since you do not seem to be over-watering, under-watering is quite possible in a pot plant. The heat would kill the roots on the outside of the pot unless the pot is clay and is kept moist enough to cool the interior by evaporation of water.

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