Growing rosemary like a tree is possible with this cultivation technique
Among the most beloved and utilized aromatic herbs in the kitchen, rosemary is frequently a "guest" in our gardens and on our tables, accompanying many of our dishes with its unmistakable and pleasant aroma. This plant is not only beneficial for our well-being but can also become a decorative element for our homes when grown in a pot.
Rosemary usually grows as a bush, but with the right cultivation techniques, we can encourage it to grow up as a small tree, with a slender, elongated central stem. Typically shaped like a lollipop on a long stem, rosemary trees can also take on different forms through topiary techniques, becoming, for example, small and unique Christmas trees, perfect for the festive season.
But how do you grow a rosemary plant in the shape of a tree, and what care does it require to maintain it? We'll explain all this below:
From a bush to a small tree
If you want to grow your rosemary as a small tree, you can choose between two options:
The first option is to purchase a mature rosemary plant already shaped like a small tree, so you'll have it immediately have it in the desired form.
The second option involves starting with a young plant and requires a bit of patience since rosemary plants have rather slow growth, and you need to wait for some time before the woody part of the trunk forms. In this second case, you'll need to be careful to allow the stem to grow vertically. For this purpose, it's also important to choose the right variety of rosemary that will grow upright more easily.
Pruning is a crucial step in training rosemary into the form of a tree, and the first pruning should be done when the plant reaches about 60 cm in height. During this initial operation, identify the main stem and cut the secondary branches located at its lower part. In younger plants, it's sufficient to start with a stem of about 5 cm in height, gradually lengthening it as the plant grows.
Keeping the rosemary as a tree
Once you have achieved the desired shape, it's essential to maintain this over time to encourage the development of a dense canopy and prevent the plant from reverting back to a bush. Pruning the top should be done by cutting the branch just above a leaf node, promoting the growth of new branches starting from that node.
The canopy shape, on the other hand, should be maintained with more frequent pruning, performed every few weeks or every 1-2 months when you notice new growth and loss of shape.
To keep your rosemary tree healthy, it's necessary to nourish it with the right fertilizer, given every two weeks or so. The container is also crucial for proper growth and should be one size larger than the plant's root ball.
As for plant care, this will be similar to that for rosemary bushes: place your small rosemary tree in a sunny area, sheltered from cold drafts, and water it generously, allowing the soil to dry between watering sessions.