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

Rosemary is a unique-looking herb that can be grown in the ground or containers. It is a favorite herb among home chefs, with many recipes that can be greatly improved by a dash of freshly harvested rosemary leaves.

But when it comes to ensuring you’re getting the best harvest from your rosemary plant, you’ll want to read what the pros have to say. That’s because harvesting your rosemary too soon (or even too late) can change the flavor of the leaves, potentially turning your homemade dish into something else entirely. We spoke with experts to learn how—and, importantly, when—to harvest your rosemary for year-round use.

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.

How to Store Fresh Rosemary

You can preserve your rosemary in a few different ways, according to Dawson, including in the refrigerator. "Wrap the rosemary sprigs in a slightly damp paper towel, place the wrapped rosemary in a plastic bag or airtight container, [and] store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks," she says.

Another great option involves keeping the rosemary in fresh water on your countertop. "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. 

If you want to keep fresh rosemary a bit longer than that, you can use your freezer. "For long-time 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.