{"id":4093,"date":"2021-06-21T09:55:22","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T09:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=4093"},"modified":"2023-01-16T04:57:11","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T04:57:11","slug":"rosemary-plant-dying-ways-to-save-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/rosemary-plant-dying-ways-to-save-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Rosemary Plant Dying | 6 Causes and Ways to Save it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The top reasons a rosemary plant will die is overwatering. Overwatering will cause root rot or sooty mold causing the plant to slowly die back. If a rosemary plant has been overwatered their leaves can turn black. Rosemary plants can also die if they are underwatered turning their leaves brown.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary plants love Mediterranean conditions including free draining soil that dries out between watering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This article will explore the top causes of a dying rosemary plant and some easy ways to save it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Too much water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant that likes free draining soil. They have evolved growing on rocky outcrops in bright sunny positions. Rosemary can easily get too much water in tropical and sub tropical areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am living on the Eastern side of Australia and we are getting far more rain than the Mediterranean. My soil does not dry out as quickly and I have to find the sunniest position for my rosemary in my garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a sub-tropical area like me that gets lots of rain and humidity it is best to plant your rosemary in a pot<\/a> to allow it to drain freely and dry out between watering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Root rot in rosemary is caused when the roots are sitting in water or wet soil for too long. The roots can\u2019t get enough oxygen and the plant will starve. As the roots rot away the plant won\u2019t be able to absorb nutrients and will end up dying. overwatered Rosemary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop watering your rosemary and let the soil dry out. Only water your rosemary if you feel the soil is dry 1-2 inches below the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your rosemary is planted in the ground, watch it over the next 2-3 weeks and if the problem gets worse and the leaves turn even darker, then it is best to dig out your rosemary and place it in a pot. You may get it out of the ground before it ends up dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dying rosemary can be saved if you follow these easy solutions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plant it in free draining potting mix and add some river sand<\/a> if you have some to add extra structure..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.Too much shade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary grown in shade is more likely to spend longer in damp soil than those planted in full sun. Shade can increase the water that says around the roots of the plant leading to root rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a sunny spot to plant your rosemary in will help to prevent root rot as the soil will dry out quicker. Rosemary plants like a sunny spot that dries out between watering so avoid shade if you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
My rosemary gets a lot of shade so struggles to grow in winter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Soil is too dense and not free draining<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary plants can die quickly if the soil is too dense, contains too much clay and is not free draining. The main problem with this type of soil is that it stays wet, holds less oxygen and the rosemary will struggle to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before planting rosemary dig organic matter into heavy clay soil. This will help the soil to drain for your rosemary. If you already have your rosemary planted in heavy soil, the only solution may be to dig it out and move it into a pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Powdery mildew<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Powdery mildew looks like a white powder on your rosemary leaves. It is caused by heavy rain or moist conditions and is a fungus that forms on the leaves of the rosemary. The rosemary plant can survive with powdery mildew for a while but eventually it can cause rosemary to die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The leaves will not be able to photosynthesize if they are covered with mildew and the plant can starve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best solution for powdery mildew is to give your rosemary lots of sunlight, lots of airflow and not overwatering. Slow down any water that you are adding and only add water on the soil and not the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surround your rosemary with tree mulch to avoid soil and water from splashing onto the rosemary leaves<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Underwatering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Underwatering will turn rosemary leaves brown and the plant can eventually die. Unlike overwatering where the rosemary leaves will turn black, underwatering will cause your rosemary to dry out and turn twiggy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary can be saved if you catch underwatering quick enough. Give your rosemary a deep water with a hose or watering can. Add extra seaweed solution to the water to support root recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat the process 2-3 times over 2 weeks to see if new leaves will sprout through. Old leaves will not grow back but new leaves will start to come through on the stems. Old leaves can be trimmed down back to healthy leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Old stems can be removed because they will not grow new leaves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check out these top reasons why rosemary plants dry out in the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n