How to Grow Rosemary in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
Mediterranean shrub that loves a dry, sunny, free-draining spot and shrugs off dry spells once established. Best bought as a plant or struck from cuttings, as seed is slow and variable. Trim after flowering to keep it compact.
What it looks like as it grows
When to plant rosemary in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December |
Best rosemary varieties for NZ
- Tuscan Blue, Upright grower with blue flowers, the pick for cooking and for low hedging. (Tui, Kings garden centres)
- Prostrata (Trailing), Hardy trailing ground cover smothered in blue flowers, good over walls and banks. (Tui, garden centres)
- Common Rosemary, Standard upright culinary rosemary, easy from seed or cuttings. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds)
How to grow rosemary
- Space plants about 60cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 180 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 21 days.
Companion planting
Grow rosemary near: Sage, Carrot.
🌱 Plant Rosemary in your garden →For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Rosemary plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant rosemary in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy rosemary seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Tui, Kings garden centres, garden centres.