How to Harvest Rosemary to Ensure a Healthy Plant That Keeps Producing

Rosemary is one of the most rewarding herbs for home gardeners. It's fragrant, flavorful, and easy to grow. Whether planted in a sunny garden bed or grown in a pot in your windowsill, it adds depth to everything from roasted vegetables to marinades to baked breads. Knowing when to harvest is key to getting the most from your plant. To help you enjoy rosemary year-round, we spoke with gardening experts who shared their best tips for when and how to harvest rosemary for maximum flavor and long-term plant health.

Tools You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Gloves (optional)
• Harvest basket for collected rosemary

Instructions

When it comes time to collect your rosemary, Vanessa Dawson, founder of Arber, says you’ll want to pay special attention to which parts of the plant you’re harvesting from. 

1. First, select the stems. Dawson says you’ll want to choose healthy, mature stems that are at least 6 inches long.
2. Using pruning shears, cut the stems just above the leaf node, or where the stem meets the main branch.
3. Next, place the cut stems in a basket, ensuring they are not crushed or damaged. "After harvesting, check the plant for any signs of disease or pests, and remove any damaged or unhealthy parts which will help the plant to fill in and grow more vigorously," Dawson says. 

When to Harvest Rosemary

Rosemary can be harvested year-round in mild climates. "Harvest in the late morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day," says Nancy Trautz-Awot, horticulturist at Burpee. "The taste is strongest just before the plant flowers."

As for knowing when your plant is ready for harvest, Dawson says you should wait until it is well-established (which usually happens by the second growing season), and then you should check to make sure that you have mature stems that are woody at the base but still green and tender at the tips, she says.

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How to Store Fresh Rosemary

Rosemary can be preserved in a few easy ways. Here are some of the most reliable methods for extending the life of your rosemary.

• Paper Towel: Wrap the rosemary sprigs in a slightly damp paper towel, then place it in a plastic bag or airtight container, says Dawson. Store in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
• Fresh Water: Keeping rosemary in fresh water on your countertop is a great option. "Place the rosemary stems in a glass of water, like a vase or a jar," Dawson says, adding that you should loosely cover the top with a plastic bag to help with humidity issues. "Change the water every few days to keep it fresh." This method should also keep your fresh rosemary in good shape for up to two weeks. 
• Freezer Method: If you want to keep fresh rosemary a bit longer than that, you can use your freezer. "For longtime storage, cut the leaves into ice cube trays, cover them with water, and freeze," says Trautz-Awot.

How to Dry Rosemary

If you’re looking to keep your freshly harvested rosemary around for more than two weeks you can dry it. There are two common ways Dawson suggests doing this: air drying or oven drying. 

How to Air Dry Rosemary

1. Tie your rosemary sprigs into small bundles with string or twine.
2. Hang the bundles upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sun, according to Dawson.
3. Let them air dry for one to two weeks or until the needles are brittle to the touch.

How to Oven Dry Rosemary

1. Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature setting (usually around 180 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Spread the rosemary sprigs on a baking sheet and place them in the oven.
3. Dry for two to four hours, checking every 30 minutes until the rosemary is completely dry.

Once the rosemary is dried, Dawson says you can prepare it by removing the dried needles by running your fingers down the stem. "Store the dried rosemary in an airtight container in a cool, dark place," she says, saying that when properly stored, dried rosemary can last for up to one year.