Trailing Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus
A prostrate form of rosemary with aromatic foliage and butter yellow flowers, perfect for borders and containers.
Evergreen and hardy in USDA zones 8-11, it withstands low-desert frost into the low 20s°F and thrives in reflected heat, asking mainly for dry, well-drained soil.
AMWUA Notes
A low-water, edible Mediterranean groundcover that doubles as a culinary herb; overwatering, not heat, is its chief enemy.
Care Guide
Water every 10-14 days once established and let the soil dry between; this Mediterranean herb resents constant moisture and needs excellent drainage.
Shear lightly after bloom to keep the trailing mat dense and shapely; avoid cutting into bare old wood, which regenerates poorly, and harvest sprigs as needed.
Needs little feeding; a single light spring application keeps foliage a healthy green in poor soils.
Generally pest-free but susceptible to root rot in wet clay; occasional spittlebugs are harmless.
Small pale blue to butter-tinted flowers appear off and on from winter into spring; evergreen and aromatic year-round with good frost tolerance.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Prefers well-drained, gritty, alkaline soils; thrives in poor rocky ground and rots in wet clay.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Semi-hardwood cuttings root easily; also layers where trailing stems touch soil.
2-3 ft on center to spill over walls and edges
Non-invasive woody roots; avoid lawn overspray, which rots the crown.
Placement Tips
- •Space 2-3 ft apart to spill over walls, raised beds, and container edges.
- •Site near kitchen doors and paths so the aromatic culinary foliage is within easy reach.
- •Excellent cascading down slopes and retaining walls in Mediterranean and edible designs.
- •Give full sun and sharp drainage; avoid lawn overspray that rots the crown.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Trailing Rosemary. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Trailing Rosemary — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Trailing Rosemary need in Phoenix?
Trailing Rosemary is a low-water groundcover once established. Water every 10-14 days once established and let the soil dry between; this Mediterranean herb resents constant moisture and needs excellent drainage. A low-water, edible Mediterranean groundcover that doubles as a culinary herb; overwatering, not heat, is its chief enemy.
How big does Trailing Rosemary get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2-3 ft on center to spill over walls and edges of spacing when planting. Non-invasive woody roots; avoid lawn overspray, which rots the crown.
Can you plant Trailing Rosemary near a pool?
Yes. Trailing Rosemary is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Trailing Rosemary handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Trailing Rosemary is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Evergreen and hardy in USDA zones 8-11, it withstands low-desert frost into the low 20s°F and thrives in reflected heat, asking mainly for dry, well-drained soil. Small pale blue to butter-tinted flowers appear off and on from winter into spring; evergreen and aromatic year-round with good frost tolerance.
Does Trailing Rosemary have thorns?
No. Trailing Rosemary is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Trailing Rosemary safe around pets?
Trailing Rosemary is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Trailing Rosemary bloom in Arizona?
Trailing Rosemary blooms in spring-fall, with butter yellow flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws bees.
How much maintenance does Trailing Rosemary need?
Trailing Rosemary is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear lightly after bloom to keep the trailing mat dense and shapely; avoid cutting into bare old wood, which regenerates poorly, and harvest sprigs as needed.
What kind of soil does Trailing Rosemary need?
Prefers well-drained, gritty, alkaline soils; thrives in poor rocky ground and rots in wet clay. Nutrient needs are low. Needs little feeding; a single light spring application keeps foliage a healthy green in poor soils.
Is Trailing Rosemary native to Arizona?
No. Trailing Rosemary is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Horticultural cultivar, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.