Rosemary - The Lesser Known Holiday Plant

Many people are familiar with the plants of Christmas like the classic Christmas tree, mistletoe, poinsettias, etc. But the lesser known holiday plant, rosemary, is probably one of the most versatile. Its relation to Christmas stems back to the legend that Mary draped a blue cloak over the bush filled with white flowers. When she retrieved it the flowers had turned blue.

Another tradition from the middle ages included spreading rosemary on the floor of the home at Christmas to release its aroma as it is thought to be offensive to evil spirits. It was also used for its medicinal properties to prevent illness.

Today we see rosemary becoming more popular for use in potpourri, wall hangings, and as mini Christmas trees. With its good stem structure it can be pruned to the shape of a tree while having the strength to hold up a few ornaments. If you live in a small space or an apartment where it is difficult to put up a christmas tree, this may be the best option for you.

Because it is a living plant you will need to repot it after coming home from a store. Keep it well watered as you would any other indoor herb plant. Depending on where you got it from it may be experiencing conditions of stress. This is why we recommend repotting it to give it the nutrients it needs to last for months to come.

If you would like to grow your own rosemary Christmas tree for next year:

1. Start by planting some seeds in a small container with soil.
2. When your rosemary plant grows to about 8 inches tall, or more, prune the branches down to your selected leaders. Pruning will help develop a more dense looking tree.
3. A couple of months after your initial pruning, prune again. This time forming the initial cone shape.
4. After a couple more months prune again, further defining the desired tree shape. Your rosemary should be ready for use as a Christmas tree at this point.

For use as a wall hanging simply bundle a handful together and tie with string or twine.