Name: Rosemarinus officinalis ‘Salem’  aka Salem rosemary or roasting rosemary

Type of Plant:  A bushy rosemary that is more likely to survive the winter indoors than some other types of this herb. Hardy in Zone: 7-9

Why I Love/Hate this plant:  I have featured this plant before, but must do so again since I’m loving how it looks in my kitchen, how I value the use of this flavorful herb in cooking, and how this variety is easier to keep over the winter indoors.

Some years ago a professional grower told me that this rosemary tends to do better inside over the winter than other varieties since it is less sensitive to lower light levels and shorter days. I have found this to be true.

A Word to the Wise:  Although Rosemary is drought-tolerant outdoors, where it can grow a deep root system, in the house “a dry rosemary is a dead rosemary” is the rule. Water your potted rosemary regularly and never let it dry to the point of wilting.

This is my Salem rosemary in my kitchen right now. I cut the growth from the top frequently for cooking. This plant has dropped some of the older leaves since I brought it inside – typical for this plant since there is so much less light inside.

The pot of rosemary is on the far left. I displayed a group of herbs on this table all summer.