The Best Potting Soil for Rosemary – Here’s the Perfect Combination

Rosemary is one of the hardiest herbs you can add to your garden, tolerating the driest conditions thanks to its Mediterranean roots. If you’re considering growing this herb in a pot, you may be trying to decide on the best potting soil for rosemary.

Rosemary is one of the most drought-tolerant plants. It’s also very easy to learn how to grow rosemary successfully, which will give you delicious sprigs that can be used in cooking.

It’s important to make sure you’re using the right potting soil, though: Even the hardiest plants need some level of drainage to stay healthy, especially those from warm climates. We asked gardening experts for their recommendations to help you find the best potting soil for rosemary.

What you will need

Westland Potting Gravel, 20kg

Miracle-Gro Premium Peat-Free All-Purpose Compost, 50 Liter, Brown

Miracle-Gro Premium Peat-Free All-Purpose Compost

Gro-Sure Perlite, 10 L

What is the best potting soil for rosemary?

Fortunately, rosemary is a fairly hardy plant and is not very demanding when it comes to soil. However, there are some conditions to avoid.

“Rosemary is like all Mediterranean plants: it doesn’t like wet, soggy conditions,” says Monique Gudgeon, garden manager at Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorchester. This means drainage is key, and incorporating the right ingredients into your soil will help you get the best results.

“Any good potting compost will do, but make sure to add a good layer of grit to the bottom of the pot and provide plenty of drainage holes,” says Monique. “I also like to line the pot with gravel or gravel, as this stops water splashing onto the lower leaves and causing rot.”

Monique Gudgeon

Monique and her husband, Simon Gudgeon, founded the park in 2007, merging their passions for sculpture and nature to create a unique visitor experience. Since then, the park has been internationally accredited as a botanic garden by Botanic Gardens Conservation International after extensive work with world leaders in plant conservation.

A plant stand with potted herbs

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Westend61)

Above all, rosemary needs good drainage. We asked Morris Hankinson, founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries, for an exact formula for the best potting soil for rosemary.

“An ideal mix might include two parts high-quality potting soil, one part sand or fine gravel to provide that essential gritty texture, and one part perlite or pumice which can further improve drainage.”

Rosemary plants growing in terracotta pots next to a brick wall and succulents

(Image credit: Future PLC)

The Best Ready-To-Use Mixes for Rosemary

Now that we have an idea of what makes up the best rosemary soil, we have two options: either we make our own mix or we opt for a ready-made product to save time. But what is the best rosemary soil on the market?

“If you’re looking for a reliable, ready-to-use potting mix, we recommend Miracle-Gro Premium Mediterranean & Citrus Compost, available on Amazon,” Morris says. “This mix is especially great for rosemary because it’s formulated to drain well while retaining just enough moisture, thanks to the added sand and perlite.”

“Alternatively, B&Q Verve Peat Free Compost for Cacti & Succulents is an eco-friendly option that offers excellent drainage with added grit. It’s a good choice for rosemary, providing the right balance of aeration and moisture control.”

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist hedge plant grower and retailer. After graduating from Writtle College, Essex in 1992 with a degree in commercial horticulture, Morris established the nursery the same year on half an acre of land on his family’s 25-acre farm in Tenterden, Kent.

Rosemary plant in a green pot with trowel

(Photo credit: Getty)

Monique opts for a peat-free compost to repot her rosemary. “I use Petersfield Supreme Peat-Free Compost, then cover the bottom of the pot with gravel and top with more gravel to reduce water splashing onto the lower foliage.”

The key takeaway? The best potting soil for rosemary should provide good drainage, so keep that in mind when shopping or making your own soil from scratch.

Discover our best choices

Miracle-Gro Premium Mediterranean and Citrus Compost on white background

Miracle-Gro Premium Mediterranean & Citrus Compost

Verve Cactus and Succulent Compost, 5L Bag

Westland Cactus Potting Soil Mix 4L, Brown

Westland Cactus and Succulent Mix

FAQ

Does rosemary need perlite?

Perlite is great for providing drainage in heavier soils, so it’s a good option if you’re making your own rosemary potting mix.

“Although not absolutely essential, perlite can be very beneficial to rosemary by improving aeration and drainage of the soil,” says Morris of Hopes Grove Nurseries. “In areas with high humidity or frequent rainfall such as the UK, perlite is particularly useful to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged, which rosemary does not like.”

What potting soil should I use for rosemary cuttings?

We’ve established what the best potting soil is for rosemary, but does this also apply to rosemary cuttings? “I use a 50:50 mix of pure coco coir and perlite and dip the cuttings in Clonex rooting hormone,” says Monique of Sculpture by the Lakes. “Any good rooting hormone powder will do, though.”

As with established rosemary plants, drainage is essential so that root rot does not affect your cuttings.

So, now you know what to look out for the next time you repot a rosemary plant.