PL. —Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus'Botanical illustration — drop image
Background
Creeping rosemary is the low, trailing form of the same culinary herb — same flavor and fragrance, but a sprawling, wall-cascading habit instead of an upright shrub. It's excellent spilling over a raised bed edge, a retaining wall, or the rim of a large container, and it's just as good in the kitchen as upright rosemary.
Like the species, it's only reliably hardy outdoors in the warmer end of its range; a wet cold snap is what kills it, not cold alone. In zone 8, plant against a south-facing wall with sharp drainage. In colder zones, grow it in a container and overwinter indoors on a sunny windowsill, or take cuttings each fall as insurance — it doesn't regrow from old wood if cut back too hard.
Care guide
SunFull sun
WaterLow — drought tolerant once established
SoilWell-drained, lean
Spacing24–36 in
Height6–12 in
Zone8a – 10b
WinterBring container plants indoors to a sunny windowsill before frost, or take cuttings as insurance in marginal zones — it survives most winters against a south-facing wall in zone 8 but a wet cold snap can kill it outright.
spring
cutPrune lightly after any spring flowering, removing no more than a third of growth — it won't regrow from old wood.
sowPlant out after last frost against a south-facing wall or in a well-drained container.
summer
watchEstablished plants are drought tolerant and need little supplemental water.
cutHarvest sprigs for cooking as needed through the growing season.
fall
overwinterBring container plants indoors to a sunny windowsill before frost, or take cuttings as insurance in marginal zones.