Growing rosemary from seed can be tricky. But you can do it. This guide shows you how.

1. Starting Your Seeds

Rosemary seeds take a while to sprout. Be patient.

Start your seeds indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. You need a well-draining seed-starting mix. Don't use heavy garden soil.

Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil. Then, cover them with a very thin layer of mix. They need some light to germinate.

Water the soil so it's moist. A spray bottle is good for this. You don't want to wash the seeds away. Cover your container with plastic to keep the soil moist.

Place the container in a warm spot. Rosemary seeds need warmth, around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, to sprout. This can take a few weeks.

2. Caring for Your Seedlings

Once your seeds sprout, they need lots of light. Put them in a sunny window. Or use a grow light for at least 12 hours a day. This keeps the seedlings from getting thin and weak.

Let the soil dry out a little between waterings. Rosemary does not like to have wet roots. This is a common mistake. Overwatering can kill your seedlings.

Wait to fertilize until the seedlings have several sets of true leaves. Then, you can use a very diluted liquid fertilizer once every couple of weeks.

Good air movement is also important. It helps prevent plant diseases. A small fan on a low setting can help with this.

3. Moving Them Outside

Before you plant your rosemary outside, you must get it used to the conditions. This is called hardening off.

Start by placing your seedlings outside in a protected spot for an hour. Do this for about a week. Increase the time they spend outside each day.

When the weather is warm and all chance of frost has passed, you can plant your rosemary in your garden or a larger pot. Make sure the spot has soil that drains well. Rosemary hates wet feet. Choose a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

And that's it. Growing rosemary from seed takes time. But you get a new plant for your garden.