When to Plant Rosemary in Zone 11

Salvia rosmarinus

Last updated: Apr 29, 2026 · Sources: USDA, NOAA, Cooperative Extension
Action Plan

Plant Rosemary in Zone 11

  • Start indoors: Dec 17
  • Transplant: Jan 29 — after last frost (Jan 15)
  • First harvest: May 10 (80–120 days after planting)
⚠️ Don't plant before last frost (Jan 15) — cold snaps kill young transplants.
Last frost
Jan 15
First frost
Dec 25
Growing season
344 days
Quick Facts
Sunlight ☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs 💧 Low
Spacing 24 inches apart
Planting Depth 0.25 inch
Min Soil Temp 55°F
Germination 14–28 days
Days to Maturity 80–120 days
Frost Tolerance Light frost tolerance
Soil pH 6.0–7.0
Difficulty Moderate
What you'll need — Zone 11
🛒 Rosemary — Seeds & Supplies
  • 🌱 Rosemary Plant (Live)
  • 🌱 Terracotta Pot for Herbs
  • 🌱 Perlite for Drainage

Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.

Growing Tips

  • Rosemary prefers lean, well-drained soil — don't over-fertilize or over-water.
  • Plant in the sunniest, most sheltered spot in colder zones.
  • In zones 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors.
  • Prune lightly after flowering to keep the plant from going woody.
  • Propagate from cuttings easily — take 4-inch stem cuttings in summer.

Common Mistakes

  • Overwatering — rosemary is drought-tolerant and rots in wet soil.
  • Heavy pruning into old wood — won't regrow from wood without green growth.
  • Planting in heavy clay — needs sharp drainage above all else.
  • Leaving outdoors in zone 6 and colder without protection — will die back or freeze.

Companion Planting

Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.

✓ Good Companions

Beans Cabbage Carrot

Rosemary Schedule — All Zones

ZoneStart IndoorsTransplant Direct SowHarvest StartHarvest End
Zone 7 Mar 1 Apr 19 — Jul 29 Oct 7
Zone 8 Feb 13 Apr 3 — Jul 13 Sep 21
Zone 9 Jan 24 Mar 14 — Jun 23 Sep 1
Zone 10 Jan 6 Feb 24 — Jun 5 Aug 14
Zone 11 Dec 17 Jan 29 — May 10 Jul 19

Other Zones for Rosemary

Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10

📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.
Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.