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Herbs - Australia

Rosemary going yellow

23 years ago

My rosemary bushes are growing well and are disease free, yet they are going slightly yellow.

They get plenty of sun and adequate water. The soil is quite poor and sandy, but that can be said of the whole of Perth where nearly everyone has a healthy rosemary bush.

The plants grow near the limestone foundations of my house, but the soil itself isn't particularly limey. Could it be a pH problem? Any other suggestions?

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Comments (5)

Daisyduckworth
23 years ago
The following information might be of help. I suspect it may need a drink, especially since your soil is sandy. Although all the books tell you to keep it dry, I find it takes quite a lot of water, but it won't tolerate wet feet. You've got the drainage all right (perhaps TOO good!), but I don't think the plant is benefiting from whatever water you're giving it. Give it a good soak, and toss a handful or two of compost around the base to help get the soil into condition to hold a bit more water.

Rosemary grows best in full sun, in well-drained soil containing lime. It does not tolerate acid soil. Depending on climatic conditions, soil should be alkaline, very slightly moist, and well-drained, though the plant will tolerate drought conditions fairly well. Do not over- water, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Foliage will be sparse if plant is grown in rich soil. Fertilise with phosphorus and potash if necessary, but not nitrogen. Ideal pH 6.8, but tolerates up to pH 8.5.
annabel__WA
23 years ago
Gee Rob, it can hardly be lack of water! Mine are just in full sun, were on the outer limits of the summer waterings and do well. I know of one bush where it got no water all summer as vandals damaged the sprinkler system and it's doing well. Like the lavenders the best are the driest.
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Rjinga, I have a very mature rosemary bush that had grown in a similar pattern to yours. I was very hesitant some years ago about doing hard pruning. I finally got the nerve cut it back hard. The plant is still with us and healthy (and has been hard pruned several more times). I have several more rosemary bushes that are babies of the original plant. When our original plant "sprawled", I looked underneath it and noticed some of the longer, lower lying branches that touched the ground had rooted themselves with no help from me at all. I carefully cut them away from the mother plant, dug them up and kept them in pots for a while to let them develop better root systems, and then transplanted them. That's how I have obtained most of my rosemary bushes although I started a couple from cuttings. Just wanted to see if I could do it. My guess about the existing root system is that you will find the main root system is one plant and I don't think you can divide it. Maybe others have more knowledge on that. I have never tried it because I know for certain our original plant was a single bush. I grew it from seed. If you look under the sprawling branches that touch the ground, give them a little tug where they touch and you will be able to tell if they have put down roots. If yes, you have free plants :~). Hope this helps.
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Maryanne_WAustralia
23 years ago
Hello Rob, it might pay to check that the soil hasn't become water repellant, rosemary certainly is drought resistant when it is well established, how old are your plants? They might need feeding too, I find a little manure spread around the plants for the winter rain to wash in works well.
Johnathon_
23 years ago
Rob. Is the whole plant yellow all over or just the lower leaves? If the later, it may be a nitrogen deficiency. If its all over I would feed with a complete fertilizer.
Rosemary can also yellow as a response to Winter.
levi_grower
16 years ago
Am a commercial grower. I got 2 hectars of rosemary aged 24 months. Rtecently I realized that certain areas in the field developed paleness on the leaves. I simply increased watering frequency and nitrogen .It worked within 2 weeks. Try this too.

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